Shirtless protest at AI Summit: Delhi Police adds charges of rioting against arrested Youth Congress members
The police have included sections 191(1) (sedition) and 192 (deliberate provocation with intent to cause riot – if riot is committed; if not) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the case.
Addressing a press conference, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime and Police Administration and Media Cell) Devesh Chandra Srivastva termed the accused as “aggressive elements” and said a pre-planned 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 ongoing at the Bharat Mandapam, a pre-planned attempt was made to breach the security cordon in the presence of dignitaries, delegates and visitors attending the international event. The attackers were neutralized instantly. During the process of restraining them, some police personnel deployed on duty were injured,” he said.
Srivastva added that CCTV footage from the venue and surrounding areas revealed the involvement of several other persons who allegedly helped the main accused in carrying out the act.
“It was determined that other people who allegedly helped the aggressive elements in various ways in carrying out the action were also involved in the incident,” he said.
Srivastva stated that constant coordination was maintained with police authorities in other states and raids were carried out to reveal the full extent of the conspiracy, and said, “During the investigation, articles 191 (1) and 192 of the BNS were also added. According to the investigations carried out so far, it has been revealed that the crime was committed as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy and important evidence has been obtained in this regard.”
Given the multi-state implications, the underlying financial and logistical networks among the defendants and the need for a comprehensive investigation, further investigation has been handed over to the Inter-State Crime Branch Unit, he added.
Police said additional sections under the BNS, including sections 196 (acts promoting enmity between different groups and prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 197 (allegations prejudicial to national integration), have been invoked in the FIR. Both face up to three years in prison. Previously, charges of conspiracy, obstructing a public official from performing his duty, not complying with the order issued by a public official duly, holding an unlawful meeting and common intention were added to the case.
The protest took place on Friday in Hall 5 of the summit venue; Here, IYC workers took off their shirts to reveal T-shirts bearing slogans against the government and the India-US interim trade agreement before being escorted out by security personnel. Police said the suspect registered online and received QR codes to enter the venue.
The incident sparked a political controversy; While the BJP called it a “shameful act to tarnish India’s image on the global stage”, the IYC called it a “peaceful” demonstration aimed at protecting national interests.
With inputs from PTI
