In a significant development, Patiala House Court in Delhi has prolonged police remand for five Youth Congress activists implicated in the chaotic ‘shirtless demonstration’ at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The extension ensures deeper probe into alleged conspiracy.
Judicial Magistrate approved four more days for the quintet—Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, Narsimha Yadav, and Jitendra Yadav—arrested from Delhi and Gwalior locations. Next hearing is set for March 1, as police build their case.
Prosecution highlighted progress from prior custody: Uday Bhanu Chib’s arrest and a transit remand for another plotter. Crucial confrontations are pending, alongside the capture of T-shirt designer Siddharth from Himachal. Delhi Police stressed additional time to connect dots, including Ramesh Agarwal’s bail hearing where he confessed to mass-printing shirts for Youth Congress.
Defense lawyers contested the plea vehemently, arguing sufficient evidence already gathered. Yet, the bench prioritized investigative imperatives.
The incident at Bharat Mandapam sparked a political firestorm. Congress youth bared torsos in protest, prompting BJP’s sharp rebuke and even internal party criticism. Kharge defended the act as patriotic dissent, criticizing police action as overreach. ‘Our young workers acted in India’s interest; this isn’t criminality,’ he asserted.
As tensions simmer, the case spotlights youth activism’s clash with law enforcement, with implications for Congress’s image and opposition strategies.