Delhi Police Charges Youth Congress Members for AI Summit Protest on February 20, 2026

Delhi Police filed a case against 10 Youth Congress members after a protest at the AI Summit on February 20, 2026. This is a serious legal action.
By Newsroom | Politics, Delhi |

On February 20, 2026, a protest by members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) at the India AI Impact Summit venue in New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam resulted in legal consequences. Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against IYC workers, with charges including criminal conspiracy, hurting and assaulting public servants, disobeying orders, unlawful assembly, and violating prohibitory orders. The FIR has been filed under Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Reports suggest this was a planned demonstration, with detainees allegedly concealing T-shirts bearing the Prime Minister's image.

AI Summit protest: Delhi Police registers case under various sections, including criminal conspiracy, against IYC workers - 1

Events Leading to the FIR

The protest occurred on Friday, February 20, 2026, during the ongoing AI Impact Summit.

AI Summit protest: Delhi Police registers case under various sections, including criminal conspiracy, against IYC workers - 2

  • Four Indian Youth Congress workers were initially detained for allegedly breaching security and entering the Bharat Mandapam venue.

  • These individuals were reportedly chanting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

  • Police sources indicated the protest appeared to be pre-meditated.

  • The detainees were identified as Krishna Hari (National Secretary, IYC), Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, and Narasimha Yadav (National Coordinator, IYC).

  • The Delhi Police also detained approximately 10 IYC workers in total.

  • An investigation is underway, with police scanning over 15 video clips to identify further participants.

  • IYC President Uday Bhanu Chib was reportedly questioned at the Parliament Street police station.

  • Authorities are seeking to arrest other individuals involved in the protest.

The FIR registered by the Delhi Police outlines several serious offenses.

AI Summit protest: Delhi Police registers case under various sections, including criminal conspiracy, against IYC workers - 3

  • The charges are lodged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), specifically Section 61(2).

  • Allegations include:

  • Hurting and assaulting public servants.

  • Disobeying public servants.

  • Unlawful assembly.

  • Violating prohibitory orders.

  • Criminal conspiracy.

  • Some of the booked sections are reportedly non-bailable.

Allegations of a Planned Demonstration

Evidence gathered by the police points towards a coordinated effort behind the protest.

AI Summit protest: Delhi Police registers case under various sections, including criminal conspiracy, against IYC workers - 4

  • According to police, the detained individuals were wearing T-shirts with the Prime Minister's picture, which they had concealed under their clothing.

  • This suggests an intent to reveal the slogans or imagery at a specific moment during the summit.

  • Police sources described the incident as appearing to be a "planned protest."

Official Statements and Reactions

Official accounts detail the police action and subsequent legal proceedings.

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"An FIR has been registered under Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for hurt and assault to the public servant, disobeying the public servant, unlawful assembly, violating prohibitory orders," a Delhi police official told ANI.

While official statements focus on the charges, political reactions from other parties have emerged. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the Congress over the incident.

Context of the AI Impact Summit

The protest occurred during a significant event focused on artificial intelligence.

  • The India AI Impact Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

  • The summit aimed to foster discussions and collaborations in the field of artificial intelligence.

  • Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of strategic alliances for the nation's semiconductor ecosystem.

  • On the same day, several Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) were signed related to Quantum Computing and AI sectors.

Expert Analysis

Legal experts emphasize the gravity of the charges filed.

  • Charges under sections pertaining to assault on public servants and unlawful assembly carry significant penalties.

  • The inclusion of criminal conspiracy suggests a belief by law enforcement that the individuals acted in concert with a pre-determined plan.

  • The application of non-bailable sections indicates the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the alleged offenses, potentially restricting the bail options for those charged.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The Delhi Police have initiated legal proceedings against Indian Youth Congress members following a protest at the AI Impact Summit. The FIR details charges of criminal conspiracy and offenses against public servants. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities reviewing video evidence and seeking to apprehend additional individuals involved. The outcome of these charges will depend on further evidence presented and legal proceedings.

Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Delhi Police file charges against Youth Congress members at the AI Summit on February 20, 2026?
Delhi Police filed charges against 10 Indian Youth Congress members for protesting at the India AI Impact Summit venue in New Delhi. The protest happened on February 20, 2026.
Q: What are the specific charges filed against the Youth Congress members?
The charges include criminal conspiracy, hurting and assaulting public servants, disobeying orders, unlawful assembly, and violating prohibitory orders under Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Some of these charges are non-bailable.
Q: Who were the main Youth Congress members detained and charged?
Four members, Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, and Narasimha Yadav, were initially detained. Around 10 Youth Congress workers were detained in total. IYC President Uday Bhanu Chib was also questioned.
Q: What evidence led to the charges of criminal conspiracy?
Police reported that the detained individuals had concealed T-shirts with the Prime Minister's image under their clothes, suggesting a planned demonstration. They were allegedly chanting slogans against the Prime Minister during the protest on February 20, 2026.
Q: How does this protest relate to the AI Impact Summit?
The protest took place at the venue of the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on February 20, 2026. The summit was focused on artificial intelligence and included discussions on semiconductors and quantum computing.