Shirtless protest at AI Summit: Delhi Police adds charges of rioting against arrested Youth Congress members

Delhi Police on Tuesday added charges of rioting against members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) arrested in connection with the shirtless protest during the India AI Impact Summit last week, PTI reported citing an official. Eight IYC members, including its president Uday Bhanu Chib, have been arrested so far.

Police have included Sections 191(1) (rioting) and 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot -- if rioting be committed; if not committed) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the case.

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Addressing a press conference, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime and Police Management & Media Cell) Devesh Chandra Srivastva described the accused as “aggressive elements” and said a premeditated attempt was made to breach the security cordon in the presence of dignitaries, delegates, and visitors attending the international event.

“On February 20, 2026, while the India AI Impact Summit was underway at Bharat Mandapam, a premeditated attempt was made to breach the security cordon in the presence of dignitaries, delegates and visitors attending the international event. The aggressive elements were immediately overpowered. During the process of restraining them, some police personnel deployed on duty sustained injuries,” he said.

Srivastva added that CCTV footage from the venue and surrounding areas revealed the involvement of several other individuals who allegedly assisted the main accused in carrying out the act.

“The involvement of several other persons has also been detected, who were allegedly assisting the aggressive elements in various ways in carrying out the act,” he said.

He further stated that to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy, continuous coordination is being maintained with police authorities in other states, and raids are being carried out.

“During investigation, Sections 191(1) and 192 of the BNS have also been added. Based on the investigation so far, it has emerged that the offence was committed as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy, and substantial evidence in this regard has been obtained,” Srivastva said.

Also Read: Congress youth leader Uday Bhanu Chib arrested by Delhi Police following shirtless protest at AI Summit

Considering the multi-state ramifications, underlying financial and logistical networks among the accused, and the need for a thorough probe, further investigation has been transferred to the Inter-State Cell of the Crime Branch, he added.

Police said additional sections under the BNS, including 196 (promoting enmity between different groups and acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 197 (assertions prejudicial to national integration), have been invoked in the FIR. Both carry a jail term of up to three years. Earlier, charges of criminal conspiracy, obstruction of a public servant in discharge of duty, disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant, unlawful assembly, and common intention had already been added to the case.

The protest took place on Friday inside Hall No. 5 of the summit venue, where IYC workers removed their shirts to reveal T-shirts with slogans against the government and the India-US interim trade deal, before being escorted out by security personnel. Police said the accused had registered online and obtained QR codes to gain entry into the venue.

The incident sparked a political row, with the BJP calling it a “shameful act to tarnish India’s image on the global stage,” while the IYC described it as a “peaceful” demonstration aimed at safeguarding national interests.

With inputs from PTI