AI summit protest row: Delhi cops probe ‘larger & well-planned conspiracy’

NEW DELHI: With the arrest of Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib on Monday night over a protest at the AI summit at Bharat Mandapam on Feb 20, Delhi Police has widened the ambit of its investigation as it moves to probe a "larger and well-planned conspiracy" that allegedly aimed at spreading unrest during the high-profile event.

The case will now be investigated by the crime branch.


Sources said Chib was questioned about the identities of the other accused and the source of the "politically charged" T-shirts displayed during the protest, which witnessed anti-PM slogans and a shirtless demonstration.

However, Chib allegedly remained uncooperative and evasive during his interrogation, leading to his arrest. He will be interrogated during four days of custody to determine who gave the final go-ahead for the protest.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, special commissioner of police (crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastava said the conspiracy aimed at attempting to breach the security cordon in front of dignitaries, representatives and visitors at the international event. The individuals were quickly brought under control, although some police personnel sustained injuries while restraining them.

An FIR was registered under multiple sections, including criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity, hatred or disharmony, common intention and making imputations or assertions prejudicial to national integration. Two more sections — 191(1) (rioting) and 192 (provocation to riot) — were later added.

"During investigation, several individuals were identified on CCTV footage from the venue and surrounding areas," Srivastava said. "It was also found out that they had received assistance from others to carry out the act, and subsequent arrests were made."

Earlier, seven Indian Youth Congress workers, including three from Gwalior — Jitendra Yadav, Raj Gujjar, and Vimal Ajay Kumar — were arrested for the protest. Additionally, the organisation's Uttar Pradesh general secretary Ritik, alias Monty Shukla was detained from Lalitpur.

With Chib now in custody, the total number of people held in connection with the case has risen to eight. In anticipation of possible unrest following his arrest, police have heightened security across key locations in the capital.

A senior officer said that considering the multi-state nature of the case, financial and logistical networks linking the accused, and the extensive investigation required, the matter has been transferred to the crime branch's inter-state cell, adding that conclusive evidence has been collected. All accused remain in custody, and raids are ongoing in other states to uncover the full extent of the "conspiracy", the officer said.

Meanwhile, Devesh Kumar Mahla, New Delhi deputy commissioner of police, has been cleared to join his central deputation to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Though the order had been issued earlier, he was continuing as the DCP. Police brass denied reports suggesting that the move was linked to a security lapse over the protest at the AI summit.