Court Proceedings – Delhi Court Grants Police Custody in AI Summit Protest Case
Court Proceedings – A Delhi court has ordered four days of police custody for Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with a protest that disrupted the recent India AI Impact Summit in the capital.
Magistrate Approves Police Request for Custody
The decision was delivered on Tuesday by Judicial Magistrate Ravi, who allowed investigators to question Chib over his alleged involvement in the demonstration. The protest unfolded during the high-profile AI Impact Summit-2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, where several Youth Congress members staged an unusual demonstration inside an exhibition hall.
According to court submissions, some members of the Indian Youth Congress removed their shirts during the event to display T-shirts printed with slogans critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government. The act drew swift intervention from security personnel deployed at the venue.
Defence Rejects Allegations of Disorder
Chib’s legal team opposed the police request for custody, arguing that the protest did not escalate into any violent or riot-like situation. The defence maintained that those present at the venue were unarmed and that allegations of large-scale disorder were exaggerated.
Counsel for the Youth Congress leader told the court that Chib was not physically present at the protest site and had already cooperated with questioning. The remand plea, they argued, lacked merit and failed to establish any preliminary evidence of conspiracy. The defence also questioned the necessity of custodial interrogation, especially regarding the recovery of T-shirts worn during the protest.
Describing the episode as an act of political dissent, the defence contended that expressing criticism should not be equated with incitement or threats to national sovereignty.
Prosecution Alleges Coordinated Role
Public Prosecutor Atul Kumar Srivastava presented a contrasting view, asserting that Chib played a central role in orchestrating the demonstration. Although he may not have been present at Bharat Mandapam at the time, the prosecution alleged that he was actively communicating with participants and monitoring developments.
The prosecutor argued that even the possibility of the protest triggering a disturbance was sufficient to warrant further investigation. He emphasized that as president of the Indian Youth Congress, Chib carried added responsibility for the conduct of party members.
Investigators also pointed to reports of a scuffle between protesters and security officials during the demonstration, which required intervention by police personnel stationed at the summit.
Arrests of Other Youth Congress Leaders
Prior to Chib’s custody order, police had arrested several other Youth Congress office-bearers in connection with the protest. Among them were Krishna Hari, national secretary from Bihar; Kundan Yadav, state secretary from Bihar; Ajay Kumar, state president of Uttar Pradesh; and Narasimha Yadav from Telangana.
Authorities allege that the group carried out what they described as a “shirtless protest” inside one of the exhibition halls. The T-shirts worn underneath reportedly displayed images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, alongside slogans opposing the government and aspects of the India-US trade agreement.
AI Impact Summit Draws Global Attention
The AI Impact Summit-2026, which commenced on February 16, has attracted leading technology entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors and industry stakeholders from India and abroad. The multi-day conclave has seen strong participation, with packed auditoriums and significant media attention.
Organisers have positioned the event as a platform to showcase India’s advancements in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. However, the protest introduced an unexpected political dimension to the otherwise technology-focused gathering.
Investigation Continues
With the court granting four days of police custody, investigators are expected to examine communication records and other material related to the planning and execution of the protest. Authorities have indicated that further action will depend on findings during interrogation.
The case highlights the legal and political complexities that can arise when demonstrations intersect with high-profile national events. For now, proceedings remain ongoing as both prosecution and defence prepare for the next phase of the hearing.