Protest at AI Summit: IYC Members Arrested, Investigation Continues

Protest at AI Summit: IYC Members Arrested, Investigation Continues.webp

New Delhi, February 24 The Delhi Police has added charges of rioting against members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) who were arrested in connection with the protest during the AI Summit here last week, an official said on Tuesday.

Eight members of the IYC, including its president Uday Bhanu Chib, have been arrested so far.

The police have added sections 191(1) (rioting) and 192 (wantonly inciting a riot with the intent to cause one) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the case.

Addressing a press conference, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime and Police Management & Media Cell) Devesh Chandra Srivastva described the accused as "aggressive elements" and said that a premeditated attempt was made to breach the security cordon in the presence of dignitaries, delegates, and visitors attending the international event.

"On February 20, 2026, while the India AI Impact Summit was underway at Bharat Mandapam, a premeditated attempt was made to breach the security cordon in the presence of dignitaries, delegates, and visitors attending the international event. The aggressive elements were immediately overpowered. During the process of restraining them, some police personnel deployed on duty sustained injuries," he said.

He added that during the course of investigation, many individuals were seen in CCTV footage from the event venue and surrounding areas.

"The involvement of several other persons has also been detected, who were allegedly assisting the aggressive elements in various ways in carrying out the act," the Special CP said.

He said that continuous coordination is being maintained with police authorities of other states and raids are being carried out to unearth the entire conspiracy.

"During investigation, Sections 191(1) and 192 of the BNS have also been added. Based on the investigation so far, it has emerged that the offence was committed as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy, and substantial evidence in this regard has been obtained," he said.

Considering the multi-state ramifications of the case, the underlying financial and logistical networks among the accused, and the need for a comprehensive probe, further investigation has been transferred to the Inter-State Cell of the Crime Branch, Srivastva added.

According to police, additional sections under the BNS, including 196 (promoting enmity between different groups and acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 197 (assertions prejudicial to national integration), have been invoked in the FIR. Both carry a jail term of up to three years.

Charges of criminal conspiracy, obstruction of a public servant in the discharge of duty, disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant, unlawful assembly and common intention had already been added to the case.

On Friday, the group of IYC workers staged a dramatic protest inside Hall No. 5 of the summit venue by removing their shirts to reveal T-shirts printed with slogans against the government and the India-US interim trade deal, before being whisked away by security personnel.

Police said the accused had registered online and obtained QR codes to gain entry into the venue.

The incident triggered a political slugfest, with the BJP calling it a "shameful act to tarnish India's image on the global stage", and the IYC defending it as a "peaceful" demonstration aimed at safeguarding national interests.
 
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ai summit bharat mandapam bharatiya nyaya sanhita cctv footage criminal conspiracy delhi police india-us trade deal indian youth congress inter-state cell investigation political demonstration protest rioting security breach uday bhanu chib
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