A Delhi court has ordered four days of police custody for Uday Bhanu Chib, the National President of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC). Chib was arrested in connection with a shirtless protest that took place during the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam. The court decision came after Chib was presented before the Patiala House Court following his arrest by the Delhi Police.
The investigating agency had requested seven days of custodial interrogation, labeling Chib as the “main conspirator and mastermind” behind the protest incident. The defense opposed the extended custody plea, while the prosecution argued that custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover a broader conspiracy. After hearing arguments from both sides, the Patiala House Court approved four days of police custody for further investigation.
Chib stands accused of orchestrating an unlawful assembly on February 20 at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Summit and Expo 2026. Allegedly, anti-national slogans were raised during the event, and there were attempts to incite a riot-like situation. The police also claim that Chib, along with several others, obstructed and assaulted police officials during their duties.
According to the arrest memo, Chib allegedly did not cooperate during interrogation and failed to disclose information about the absconding co-accused and the source of the printed T-shirts used in the protest. His arrest followed nearly 15 hours of questioning at the Tilak Marg police station in connection with the shirtless protest staged on the final day of the India AI Impact Summit.
The protest at the Summit sparked a political controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party criticizing it as an effort to damage India’s global reputation, while the Congress party defended it as a peaceful demonstration reflecting the concerns of the youth.
