By: The Trek News Desk
Delhi Police has arrested the national president of the Indian Youth Congress in connection with the ‘shirtless’ protest that disrupted the AI Impact Summit in the capital last week. With this development, the total number of arrests in the case has increased to eight.
According to officials, Uday Bhanu Chib was taken into custody for his alleged role in organising and supporting the demonstration held on February 20 at Bharat Mandapam during the summit.
Before Chib’s arrest, police had detained seven members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC). Among them were three individuals from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh: Jitendra Yadav, Raj Gujjar, and Ajay Kumar. Additionally, Ritik alias Monty Shukla, the organisation’s Uttar Pradesh General Secretary, was detained in Lalitpur.
Investigators said the protest took place inside Hall No. 5 of the summit venue, where participants removed their shirts to reveal T-shirts carrying slogans opposing the central government and the proposed India-US interim trade agreement. Security personnel promptly escorted the demonstrators out of the premises.
Police sources revealed that the accused had registered online and obtained QR codes to gain access to the event. Authorities are now examining a possible conspiracy angle and tracing the financial backing behind the protest, including expenses incurred for printing the slogan-bearing T-shirts.
The FIR has been expanded to include sections 196 and 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which relate to promoting enmity between groups and making statements prejudicial to national integration. These sections carry a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison. Earlier charges included criminal conspiracy, obstructing a public servant, disobeying official orders, unlawful assembly, and common intention.
The incident has sparked sharp political reactions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the protest, calling it an attempt to damage India’s reputation on a global platform. Meanwhile, the Youth Congress defended the act as a peaceful demonstration aimed at protecting national interests.
Delhi Police continue its investigation, and officials indicate that further developments in the case may follow in the coming days.
Source: News Agencies
