AI Summit Row: Delhi Police Produce Youth Congress Workers in Court, Seek 5-Day Custody

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Saturday produced four members of the Indian Youth Congress before the Patiala House Court in connection with the protest at the ‘India AI Impact Summit.’ The police sought five days of custody for the accused, while the defense filed a bail application before the court.

During the hearing, the Delhi Police counsel alleged that anti-national slogans were raised during the protest and claimed that divisive slogans were shouted in the presence of foreign delegates attending the summit. The police further stated that the demonstrators chose a venue where representatives from several countries were present in large numbers. It was also alleged that there was pushing and scuffling during the protest, resulting in minor injuries to some police personnel.

Seeking five days’ remand, the police argued that further investigation was required to determine who orchestrated the alleged conspiracy, who else might be involved, and where the protest T-shirts were printed.

However, counsel representing the accused opposed the police remand plea, describing the arrests as an attempt to undermine democratic values. The defense argued that if peaceful protests lead to arrests, even Members of Parliament protesting inside Parliament could face similar action.

The defense lawyer stated that the accused belong to an opposition political party and carried out a peaceful demonstration at Bharat Mandapam. He asserted that there was no evidence to show that they caused injuries to anyone and emphasized that protest is a constitutional right. Therefore, police custody was unnecessary.

The Youth Congress workers have also filed a petition seeking bail. Their lawyer argued that the accused are young individuals with their careers ahead of them. The court has reserved its order in the matter.