Chandigarh: A week before the first death anniversary of Punjabi actor-turned-Khalistan-activist Sandeep Sidhu, popularly known as Deep Sidhu, his girlfriend Reena Rai laid all conspiracy theories to rest Wednesday and clarified that Sidhu had died from over-speeding.
A USA-based Punjabi film actor herself, Rai posted an hour-long video on her Facebook page Wednesday, in a bid to lay to rest the controversy surrounding Sidhu’s death.
Sidhu was driving with Rai to Bathinda on 15 February, 2021 when their car met with an accident on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway. While Sidhu died on the spot, Rai escaped with minor injuries.
In her video, Rai said: “I want to reiterate that it was an accident and nothing else. Sidhu was driving the vehicle fast and that led to the accident.”
Sidhu’s supporters — including his self-anointed successor and Khalistani activist Amritpal Singh Sandhu – have claimed that he was killed as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy by “Indian authorities”.
Sandhu, a transporter from Dubai, emerged in Punjab last year, claiming the “legacy of Deep Sidhu” and became the head of Deep Sidhu’s outfit “Waris Punjab De”.
During his speech at the “Quami Insaaf Morcha” in Mohali on 29 January, Sandhu reiterated that Sidhu was killed by “Indian authorities” and said a special programme should be organised to mark his first death anniversary in February.
Rai also said in her message that she had nothing to do with the accident and that she herself had been grievously injured.
She said: “I landed in India on 13 February and met Sidhu in Delhi… We spent Valentine’s Day together in Oberoi (hotel). On the 15th, we debated whether to go to Bombay or Punjab. Finally it was decided that we would go to Punjab… We were headed to Punjab when the accident happened. I was taking a nap in the next seat when the accident took place.”
Sidhu came into the limelight during the year-long farmer’s protest in 2020-21 at the Singhu border. On 26 January in 2021, he managed to hoist a “nishan sahib” flag atop the Red Fort in New Delhi to highlight the agenda of a separate Sikh state, while the farmers’ city-wide demonstration raged.
He was, however, shunned by farmer leaders, who said he was trying to distract their movement.
A few days later, Deep Sidhu was arrested in Karnal for the Red Fort act. Rai also claimed that she posted his video messages to supporters while Sidhu was underground.
Rai has been severely trolled and threatened by Sidhu supporters for “conspiring” to kill him. Supporters also questioned her absence from his funeral and the “bhog”, an act they said led credence to their allegations.
Explaining her absence from the cremation and the “bhog”, Rai explained Wednesday that she was stopped by Deep Sidhu’s brother Mandeep from attending in order to avoid unnecessary controversy.
Rai said she was eased out by Sidhu’s family because Sidhu’s ex-wife — who he was in the process of divorcing to marry her — did not want to share Sidhu’s properties.
Rai added she would come to Punjab soon and be a part of the “Insaaf Morcha”. “But I will not tolerate any ruckus in the name of Deep Sidhu,” she said, concluding her message.
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