'Rioting charges added to FIR': Delhi Police on Youth Congress 'shirtless' protest

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on Tuesday said it has added charges of rioting against members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) arrested in connection with the “shirtless” protest during the AI Impact Summit last week.Eight IYC members, including its president, Uday Bhanu Chib, have been arrested so far.Also Read | 'Peaceful protest our right': Rahul Gandhi backs Youth Congress after chief's arrest, says 'proud of Babbar Sher comrades' Police have invoked Sections 191(1) (rioting) and 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot — whether or not rioting is committed) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the case, according to Special CP Devesh Chandra Srivastava.“During the investigation, Sections 191(1) and 192 of the BNS have also been added. Based on the probe so far, it has emerged that the offence was committed as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy, and substantial evidence in this regard has been obtained,” Srivastava told reporters at a press conference, describing the accused as “aggressive elements.” “On February 20, 2026, while the India AI Impact Summit was underway at Bharat Mandapam, a premeditated attempt was made to breach the security cordon in the presence of dignitaries, delegates and visitors attending the international event. The aggressive elements were immediately overpowered. During the process of restraining them, some police personnel deployed on duty sustained injuries,” the senior officer said.Also Read | 'Provided logistics' for 'shirtless' protest: Why Delhi Police arrested youth Congress chief Uday BhanuHe added that, during the course of the investigation, several individuals were seen in CCTV footage from the venue and surrounding areas. “The involvement of several other persons has also been detected, who were allegedly assisting the aggressive elements in various ways in carrying out the act. To unearth the entire conspiracy, continuous coordination is being maintained with police authorities of other states and raids are being conducted,” the Srivastava stated.As per police, additional sections under the BNS — including 196 (promoting enmity between different groups and acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony) and 197 (assertions prejudicial to national integration) — have also been invoked in the FIR. Both offences carry a maximum jail term of three years.Charges of criminal conspiracy, obstructing a public servant in the discharge of duty, disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant, unlawful assembly and common intention had already been added to the case.Last Friday, a group of IYC workers staged a dramatic protest inside Hall No. 5 of the summit venue by removing their shirts to reveal T-shirts bearing slogans against the government and the proposed India–US interim trade deal, before being escorted out by security personnel.The incident sparked a political slugfest, with the ruling BJP calling it a “shameful act to tarnish India’s image on the global stage”, while the Congress and the IYC - the grand old party's youth wing - defended it as a “peaceful demonstration aimed at safeguarding national interests.”(With PTI inputs)