The Aryavarth Express New Delhi: A Delhi court has recorded that Indian Youth Congress (IYC) President Uday Bhanu Chib was not physically present at the protest site during the AI Summit demonstration but was allegedly operating from behind the scenes.
While granting four days’ police custody to Chib, Judicial Magistrate First Class Ravi at Patiala House Court noted that the Delhi Police case diary stated Chib was in contact with co-accused persons and allegedly directed the protest’s execution remotely.
The court observed that the arrest memo and grounds of arrest prima facie attributed a role to Chib as someone “operating behind the scene.” It added that at the remand stage, such material cannot be discarded merely because the accused was not physically present at the spot.
However, the court also remarked that simply stating that the country’s sovereignty was compromised would not justify prolonged custody. It held that the seven days of custody sought by police was excessive and that four days would be sufficient. “The investigating agency will have to rationalise the requirement for custody,” the court said in its order.
Regarding the alleged recovery of T-shirts worn during the protest, the court stated that it forms part of the investigation and cannot be examined in detail at this stage.
Chib was arrested after the detention of seven other accused in connection with the protest at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Summit.
Earlier, the court had granted three days’ police custody to Ajay Kumar Vimal, former District Vice President of IYC Bhind, and Raja Gujar, former District President of IYC Gwalior (2022–25), who were arrested on February 23. On Saturday, four other accused were remanded to five days’ police custody.
According to Delhi Police, the protest took place on February 20 at around 12:30 pm. Additional Commissioner of Police Devesh Mahla said the protestors had registered online for the summit and were wearing sweaters and jackets over objectionable T-shirts. Near Hall No. 5, one of them allegedly removed his outer garment and waved the T-shirt in protest, following which legal action was initiated.
The investigation into the case is ongoing.
