New Delhi: Delhi Police on Tuesday stated that it has uncovered “substantial evidence” suggesting a larger conspiracy behind the protest staged by members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) during the India AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam last week.
Addressing a press conference, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime, Police Management & Media Cell) Devesh Chandra Srivastava described the incident as a “premeditated attempt” to breach security at a high-profile international event attended by dignitaries, delegates, and foreign participants.
What Happened On February 20?
According to police:
- On February 20, 2026, during the India AI Impact Summit, a group of IYC workers entered Hall No. 5.
- They removed their shirts to reveal T-shirts bearing anti-government slogans.
- The slogans reportedly targeted the India–US interim trade agreement and included phrases such as “Compromised PM.”
- Security personnel immediately intervened and removed the protesters.
- Some police personnel sustained minor injuries during the scuffle.
Police have characterized the protest as coordinated and planned in advance rather than spontaneous dissent.
Legal Provisions Invoked
Delhi Police confirmed that provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked in the case, specifically:
- Section 191(1)
- Section 192
Authorities stated that based on ongoing investigation, the alleged offence appears to have been committed “as part of a conspiracy.”
Investigators claim to have gathered documentary and digital evidence indicating structured planning and coordination.
Uday Bhanu Chib Named As Alleged Mastermind
Police have identified Uday Bhanu Chib, National President of the Indian Youth Congress, as the alleged mastermind behind the protest.
Chib, along with several other Congress workers, has been arrested in connection with the case. A Delhi court has reportedly remanded him to police custody for further interrogation.
According to police officials:
- The protest was designed to attract maximum visibility.
- The venue was deliberately chosen due to the international presence.
- Planning involved coordination among multiple individuals.
Defence Questions Police Action
Chib’s counsel, Advocate Sujoy Ghosh, challenged the police narrative in court, raising procedural concerns.
Key arguments presented by the defence include:
- The FIR copy was not immediately provided.
- The alleged act involved printed T-shirts rather than violence.
- Arresting a youth opposition leader over such actions could damage India’s democratic image internationally.
The defence argued that custodial interrogation over slogan-bearing T-shirts would make the country “a laughing stock” in the global arena.
Political And Security Sensitivities
The India AI Impact Summit is considered a strategically significant event, focusing on artificial intelligence policy, technology governance, and global cooperation. The presence of international delegates heightened security protocols.
From a security standpoint, authorities maintain that:
- Breaching event protocol at international summits is treated as a serious matter.
- Any attempt to disrupt proceedings may fall under conspiracy and public order provisions.
- Security perimeters around such venues are layered and tightly regulated.
Police sources emphasized that the investigation extends beyond visible protesters and aims to determine whether the protest was orchestrated with prior planning.
Broader Context: Protest vs Security
The case has triggered a broader debate on:
- Freedom of political expression
- Security at international diplomatic events
- Proportionality of police action
- Use of conspiracy charges in protest cases
While opposition leaders have described the arrests as excessive, law enforcement agencies argue that the location and timing of the protest transformed it into a potential security breach.
Investigation Status
Authorities have indicated that:
- Digital communication records are under review.
- CCTV footage from the venue is being examined.
- Coordination trails are being mapped.
Further arrests are not being ruled out.
Police also clarified that the investigation is ongoing and that conclusions will be drawn based on evidence collected.
Conclusion
The Delhi Police assertion of “substantial evidence of conspiracy” marks a serious escalation in the legal framing of what began as a protest inside an international summit venue.
As judicial proceedings continue, the case is expected to test the balance between democratic dissent and national event security protocols. The outcome could have wider political and legal implications in the run-up to major policy and diplomatic engagements.
Further updates are awaited as the investigation progresses.
