Delhi Court Grants Bail to Youth Congress Members Arrested During AI Summit Protest

A Delhi court has granted bail to nine members of the Indian Youth Congress who were arrested during a protest at the India AI Impact Summit. The court ruled that their actions constituted political dissent rather than violence. The protest, which criticized Prime Minister Modi, raised questions about the right to peaceful assembly in India. Rahul Gandhi also spoke out against the government's response to the protest, emphasizing the importance of dissent in a democracy. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between political expression and law enforcement in the country.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 2, 2026, 16:57 IST

Bail Granted to Protesters

A Delhi court has granted bail to nine members of the Indian Youth Congress who were detained during a protest at the India AI Impact Summit on February 20, as reported by a legal news outlet.

The youth wing of the Congress organized the demonstration at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, where they voiced their opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of being 'compromised' and chanting slogans against him.

The Delhi Police, operating under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, filed charges against the protesters, alleging rioting and inciting discord among groups, claiming the protest aimed to disrupt the significant event.

On Sunday, Judicial Magistrate First Class Ravi from the Patiala House Court stated that the protest represented 'political dissent' rather than 'recidivist violence or organized crime.'

The court emphasized that the demonstration was merely a symbolic political critique during a public gathering, noting that participants wore T-shirts featuring political figures and their chants were neither inflammatory nor communal.

According to the court, there was no evidence of property damage or panic among delegates, and the protesters exited the venue in an orderly fashion with police assistance.

The court criticized their extended pre-trial detention as 'illicit pre-emptive punishment,' infringing upon their right to liberty as outlined in Article 21 of the Constitution.

The individuals released on bail include Krishna Hari, Narshimha Yadav, Kundan Kumar Yadav, Ajay Kumar Singh, Jitendra Singh Yadav, Raja Gurjar, Ajay Kumar Vimal alias Bantu, Saurabh Singh, and Arbaz Khan.

In total, 14 individuals have been arrested in connection with this case, including Uday Bhanu Chib, the National President of the Indian Youth Congress, who was granted bail the previous day.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently criticized the Modi administration for its actions against the youth wing members, asserting that peaceful protests should not be criminalized.

He remarked on social media, 'Modi ji, this is not North Korea; it is India. When those in power begin to view themselves as the nation and dissent as an adversary, democracy is at risk.'

The five-day India AI Impact Summit commenced on February 16 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, touted as a significant event on artificial intelligence in the Global South, attracting 20 world leaders, tech executives, and exhibitors from 30 nations.