Delhi Police arrested Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in connection with a protest at the AI Impact Summit in Modern Delhi last week.
Protest and Arrests
The arrest of Chib brings the total number of arrests related to the protest to eight. Seven Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers were previously arrested, including three from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, following the demonstration at the Bharat Mandapam on Friday, February 20.
Those previously arrested have been identified as Jitendra Yadav, Raj Gujjar, and Ajay Kumar. Ritik alias Monty Shukla, a general secretary of the IYC in Uttar Pradesh, has similarly been detained from Lalitpur.
Police are now invoking additional sections under the BNS, including 196 (promoting enmity between different groups) and 197 (assertions prejudicial to national integration), which carry a potential jail term of up to three years. Earlier charges included criminal conspiracy, obstruction of a public servant, disobedience to an order, unlawful assembly, and common intention.
Investigation Continues
Investigators are probing a potential conspiracy behind the protest and tracing the financial resources used, including funding for the printed T-shirts. Police stated the accused registered online using QR codes to access the venue.
The protest has sparked a political debate, with the BJP characterizing it as a “shameful act” and the IYC defending it as a “peaceful” demonstration to protect national interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the arrests?
The arrests stem from a shirtless protest staged by IYC members at the AI Impact Summit, where protesters displayed slogans against the government and the India-US interim trade deal.
How many people have been arrested in connection with the protest?
A total of eight people have been arrested, including Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib.
What charges are the arrested individuals facing?
The arrested individuals are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, obstruction of a public servant, disobedience to an order, unlawful assembly, common intention, and additional sections related to promoting enmity and assertions prejudicial to national integration.
As investigations continue, will this incident lead to further political repercussions or changes in protest regulations?
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