A Delhi court on Saturday sent four members of the Indian Youth Congress to five days of police custody following their arrest over a shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit.
Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar and Narasimha Yadav appeared before the Patiala House Court after police detained them in connection with the disruption at the summit venue on Friday.
The investigating agency sought custodial interrogation. It argued that police needed time to examine the alleged wider conspiracy. Investigators said they must identify other participants and determine how the demonstration was coordinated.
Defence counsel opposed the remand application. The defence contended that the accused took part in a peaceful protest. It argued that prolonged detention lacked justification and sought their release on bail.
After hearing submissions from both sides, the Patiala House Court granted five days of police custody. The court dismissed the bail pleas of all four accused.
The protest drew attention after demonstrators allegedly interrupted proceedings at the high-profile summit.
Summit Disruption Sparks Row
The event hosted political leaders, industry representatives and technology experts.
According to officials, several Youth Congress workers removed their shirts and shouted slogans inside the venue.
Some protesters stood topless before an India AI Summit display board. They took photographs and attempted to create a disturbance.
Security personnel intervened swiftly and escorted them out. Authorities have continued their investigation into the episode.
Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the demonstration. They described the protest as inappropriate.
They accused the Congress party of trying to disrupt a national platform intended to showcase India’s technological advancement.
In response, the youth wing of the Indian National Congress defended the action.
In a statement, it said the protest sought to highlight concerns that corporate interests were receiving priority over national interests.
It also alleged that the government’s foreign policy posture had weakened.
The organisation linked the demonstration to broader economic grievances. It cited rising prices and unemployment.
It claimed that growing frustration among young citizens had triggered the symbolic protest.
The case now proceeds under judicial scrutiny as investigators examine the sequence of events and potential involvement of additional individuals.
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