Delhi Police Arrest Youth Congress President Uday Chib Over Shirtless AI Summit Protest, Calls Him ‘Mastermind’
IYC Chief Booked as Mastermind, Security Tightened Across Capital
NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Uday Bhanu Chib, terming him the “main conspirator” and “mastermind” behind the shirtless protest staged by IYC members at the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam last week. A Delhi court has remanded Chib to four-day police custody.
According to police, Chib led the protest in which IYC workers removed their shirts to reveal slogans opposing the government and the India-US interim trade deal. The protest was described in the arrest memo as an attempt to incite a “riot-like situation” and raise “anti-national slogans.”
Security Measures and Arrests
In response to Chib’s detention, security has been reinforced at key points in the capital. Barricades and additional forces, including Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and paramilitary units, have been deployed to prevent potential unrest.
Chib’s arrest brings the total number of individuals detained in connection with the protest to eight, including seven other IYC members from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Police are continuing investigations to identify additional participants and uncover any conspiracy or financial support behind the protest.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Chib has been booked under multiple sections of the Bombay National Security (BNS) Act, including 61(2), 121(1), 132, 195(1), 221, 223(A), 190, 196, 197, 191, 192, and 3(5). The charges cover criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, obstruction of public servants, and promoting enmity between groups, each carrying potential imprisonment of up to three years.
Police officials confirmed that they are reviewing CCTV footage, digital evidence, and entry records from the summit to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify other participants involved in organizing and executing the protest.
Political Fallout
The protest has sparked a political debate, with the BJP condemning it as a “shameful act” that tarnished India’s image globally, while the IYC defended it as a peaceful demonstration aimed at protecting national interests.
Investigators are also examining the logistics and funding for the protest, including the production of the T-shirts displaying slogans, to determine whether there was coordinated planning behind the demonstration.
The Delhi Police emphasized that maintaining public order remains a priority and preventive measures will be invoked against any unauthorized assemblies.
