Court says IYC Chief monitored protest from behind the scenes, grants 4-day custody
New Delhi – A Delhi court on Tuesday sent Indian Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib to four days in police custody. The case relates to last week’s shirtless protest during the AI Impact Summit in the capital. The court said the investigation, at this stage, points to his role in monitoring the protest from behind the scenes.
Judicial Magistrate Ravi at Patiala House Court passed the order. The court examined the arrest memo and the disclosure of co-accused persons. It noted that the material on record suggests that Chib gave directions and tracked the protest’s execution.
The court stressed that investigators need not prove physical presence at this stage. It said the law recognises conspiracy and abetment even when a person acts from a distance. Therefore, absence from the spot does not clear someone of criminal liability.
During the hearing, Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Shrivastava argued that Chib conceptualised the protest. He claimed that Chib issued instructions to other accused persons and kept close watch on developments. He also told the court that co-accused Shree Krishna Hari kept Chib informed about each stage of the protest.
Meanwhile, defence counsel Sanjay Ghose opposed police custody. He argued that Chib did not visit the protest site. He also said Chib had no knowledge of the T-shirts worn during the demonstration. However, the court did not accept this argument at this stage.
The court also addressed the issue of the T-shirts recovered during the probe. The defence called the recovery trivial. However, the court disagreed. It said the T-shirts carried specific slogans and formed a key part of the alleged protest plan. According to the court, they helped identify participants and convey the intended message.
Further, the court underlined the importance of digital evidence. It said mobile phone data could help investigators trace the larger conspiracy. Police informed the court that Chib refused to share his phone password. Investigators believe that the device may contain conversations with co-accused persons.
At the same time, the court found the prosecution’s request for seven days of custody excessive. It noted that police had already completed much of the on-the-spot investigation. Therefore, it limited custody to four days. The court also allowed Chib to meet his lawyer during interrogation, provided it does not hinder the probe.
Separately, police added fresh charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These include provisions related to rioting and provocation with intent to cause a riot. Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastava said investigators have gathered solid evidence. He claimed that the protest formed part of a deep-rooted conspiracy.
The case now moves into a crucial phase as police continue custodial questioning.
