Delhi Police disclosed that three Youth Congress members arrested in the shirtless protest at the AI Summit are not Himachal Pradesh residents. Following a 24-hour standoff, Himachal Pradesh Police allowed Delhi Police to take custody of the activists and bring them to the national capital. The arrested individuals, identified as Saurabh from Amethi, Arbaaz from Sultanpur, and Siddharth from Rewa, were found to have fled to Himachal Pradesh after the protest.
None of the arrested individuals are natives of Himachal Pradesh, as confirmed by the police sources. Two of the accused were present at the protest, while one was allegedly part of the conspiracy. Himachal Police had earlier registered a kidnapping case against Delhi Police and detained their vehicles at the Shogi border near Shimla along with the three activists en route to Delhi.
After a late-night development, the accused, accompanied by Delhi Police personnel, were taken to the residence of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Ekansh Kapil for transit remand. Subsequently, some Delhi Police personnel were detained in Himachal Pradesh, while a few were permitted to return to Delhi with the accused. The remaining officers were instructed to stay and assist in the investigation of the kidnapping case.
Himachal Police seized a Delhi Police vehicle containing CCTV footage and other evidence, although Delhi Police argued that the vehicle held digital evidence, documents, and arms. The arrested leaders were identified as hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. At least 20 Delhi police personnel were detained for apprehending the Youth Congress leaders in Rohru town, Shimla district.
A Delhi Police team arrested the activists in Rohru and was on its way back to Delhi when they were stopped by the state police near Dharampur town in Solan district, leading to their detention. Congress lawmaker Kuldeep Rathore urged the state government to take strong action against Delhi Police, condemning the move as an effort to stifle dissent. Rathore criticized the Central government, emphasizing the importance of opposition in a democracy to voice the concerns of the people.
