New Delhi, February 21 – A Delhi court on Saturday ordered four members of the Youth Congress to be held in police custody for five days after their arrest during a protest held at the India AI Impact Summit on Friday, where they were shirtless.
The accused – Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, and Narasimha Yadav – were brought before the Patiala House Court after their arrest in connection with the demonstration that disrupted proceedings at the summit venue.
Seeking police custody, the investigating agency argued that interrogation of the accused was necessary to determine the larger conspiracy behind the protest, identify other individuals involved, and examine the circumstances under which the demonstration was organized.
However, the defense opposed the remand plea and sought bail for the accused, arguing that they were participating in a peaceful protest and that continued detention was unwarranted.
After hearing both sides, the Patiala House Court ordered all four accused to be held in police custody for five days and rejected their bail applications. The arrests were made after Youth Congress workers staged a protest during the India AI Impact Summit, drawing sharp political reactions.
The incident came to light after some protesters allegedly engaged in disruptive behavior at the high-profile event attended by political leaders, industry representatives, and technology experts.
According to officials, several Youth Congress workers removed their shirts and shouted slogans before security personnel intervened. During the protest, some of the party workers were topless and stood in front of an India AI Summit board, taking pictures and attempting to create a commotion.
The security personnel quickly intervened and forced them to leave. An investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders had criticised the protest, terming it inappropriate and accusing the Congress party of attempting to disrupt a national event showcasing India’s technological progress.
In a statement, the youth wing of the opposition Indian National Congress said the demonstration was meant to highlight concerns that “corporate interests are being prioritized over national interests” and alleged that the government’s foreign policy stance had weakened.
The group also linked the protest to economic issues such as rising prices and joblessness, claiming that young people were increasingly frustrated.
