Delhi Police arrest fifth accused in IYC ‘shirtless’ protest at AI Summit

New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested Jitendra Yadav from Gwalior in connection with the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) protest at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit 2026.

The arrest marks the fifth in the case. Earlier, Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar and Narasimha Yadav were apprehended and remanded to five days of police custody by the Patiala House Court.

What happened at Bharat Mandapam

Members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a protest at Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Protesters removed their shirts and displayed slogans reading “Compromised PM” during the event, which was attended by international delegates.

In a statement issued earlier, the IYC said its members were protesting against what it described as a “compromised Prime Minister” and raised objections related to the India–US trade context discussed around the summit.

Police detained the protesters at the venue shortly after the demonstration began.

Critics of the AI Impact Summit 2026 have argued that the event functioned more as a political optics exercise than a substantive policy platform. They contend that the summit placed emphasis on high-profile announcements and symbolic messaging while leaving key structural questions around artificial intelligence governance, regulatory clarity, data protection frameworks and implementation mechanisms insufficiently addressed.

Some policy observers described it as a distraction from pressing economic and trade concerns, pointing to what they viewed as gaps between stated ambitions and concrete, enforceable outcomes. Government representatives, however, have maintained that the summit was intended to signal strategic intent and catalyse longer-term collaboration in emerging technology sectors.

Police investigation and court proceedings

According to Delhi Police, T-shirts and posters allegedly used during the protest were recovered from Krishna Hari’s vehicle. Authorities have said further raids are under way to locate additional participants.

The Patiala House Court rejected bail applications filed by the four arrested workers and granted police custody for five days. Police told the court that custody was required to identify and arrest other accused who allegedly fled the scene.

The defence counsel argued that the accused were exercising their democratic right to protest, stating that the demonstration was peaceful and that there was no video evidence of violence. They also submitted that the accused are office bearers and educated individuals.

Police have said they are examining whether there was any organised planning or financial support behind the protest. IYC President Uday Bhanu Chib has reportedly been questioned as part of the investigation.

The incident triggered political reactions across states. Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party held protests in cities including Surat, Jammu and Delhi, criticising the demonstration. Meanwhile, the IYC has maintained that the protest was a form of dissent.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the demonstration at the high-profile summit.
(With ANI inputs)