Delhi Court Extends Custody of Youth Congress Members Over Shirtless Protest
Synopsis
A Delhi court has prolonged the police custody of five Youth Congress members linked to a shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit. The case has ignited political tensions, with differing views from major parties.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Court: Extended custody for five Youth Congress members.
Protest Details: Linked to anti-national slogans during a summit.
Political Reactions: BJP vs Congress views on the incident.
Next Steps: Further hearing scheduled for March 1.
Uday Bhanu Chib: Arrested for alleged involvement in the protest.
New Delhi, Feb 25 (NationPress) A court in Delhi has decided to prolong the police custody of five Youth Congress members who were detained in relation to a shirtless protest that took place during the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam.
The Patiala House Court has granted a four-day extension of police custody for the accused individuals -- Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, Narasimha Yadav, and Jitendra Yadav -- after they were presented before the court when their previous five-day police remand concluded.
The four Youth Congress activists -- Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, and Narasimha Yadav -- were taken into custody during the protest at the summit venue, while Jitendra Yadav was arrested in Gwalior for his alleged involvement in a broader conspiracy to orchestrate an unlawful assembly on February 20 at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Summit and Expo 2026. During this protest, it is claimed that anti-national slogans were shouted, and there were attempts to create a riot-like atmosphere.
In a request for the extension of custody, the Delhi Police argued that critical leads had emerged during the initial five-day remand, necessitating further interrogation.
The defence contested this request, asserting that the police had not provided sufficient justification for the extension and maintained that no additional custodial questioning was necessary.
After considering both arguments, the court agreed with the police's request and extended the custody of all five accused for four more days. The case is scheduled for further consideration on March 1.
Previously, on February 21, the court had ordered four Youth Congress members to five days of police custody following their detention during the protest at the prominent summit.
On February 24, the court also remanded Uday Bhanu Chib, the National President of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), to four days of police custody after his arrest connected to the incident.
The police indicated that Chib was uncooperative during questioning and did not provide information regarding the absconding co-accused or the source of the T-shirts used in the protest.
This protest has sparked a political controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party criticizing the event as an effort to damage India's international reputation, while the Congress party claims it was a peaceful demonstration aimed at raising youth concerns.
Point of View
Others argue it is a legitimate expression of dissent. This case illustrates the complexities of free speech and political expression in a democratic society.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the arrest of the Youth Congress members?
The Youth Congress members were arrested during a shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit, which allegedly involved anti-national slogans and attempted to incite violence.
Why was police custody extended?
The court extended police custody to allow further interrogation, as the police claimed they had uncovered critical leads during the initial remand.
What are the political implications of this protest?
The protest has triggered a political row, with the BJP criticizing it as damaging to India's global image, while the Congress party defends it as a peaceful demonstration.
When is the next hearing for this case?
The next hearing for the case is scheduled for March 1.
Who is Uday Bhanu Chib?
Uday Bhanu Chib is the National President of the Indian Youth Congress, who was also remanded to police custody in connection with the protest.
