A Delhi Sessions Court has stayed the Magistrate’s early morning order granting bail to IYC President Uday Bhanu Chib in the India AI Impact Summit protest case. Police had challenged the 3:30 AM bail order after alleging security breach and raising of “anti-national” slogans during the shirtless protest.
A Delhi court on Saturday evening stayed the bail granted to Indian Youth Congress (IYC) President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the shirtless protest held during the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.
The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Amit Bansal of Patiala House Court, who put on hold the earlier decision of the Magistrate granting bail to Chib. A detailed copy of the Sessions Court’s order is still awaited.
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Earlier in the day, around 3:30 AM, Duty Magistrate Vanshika Mehta had granted bail to Chib after he was produced before the court by Delhi Police. The police had sought an extension of his custody for seven more days. However, the Magistrate did not find sufficient grounds to continue his remand.
After hearing the submissions, the Magistrate rejected the request for further custody and allowed his bail application. The court directed that he be released on bail.
Soon after the bail order, Delhi Police approached the Sessions Court challenging the decision. The Sessions Court then stayed the Magistrate’s order, effectively putting Chib’s release on hold for the time being.
The case arises out of a protest that took place on February 20 during the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. According to the police, members of the Indian Youth Congress entered the venue and staged a shirtless protest inside the event premises.
Some of the protesters reportedly removed their shirts to display T-shirts carrying slogans such as “PM is compromised” and messages criticising the India-US trade deal. The protesters also allegedly raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the policies of the Central government.
Following the incident, Delhi Police detained several activists. Chib was taken into custody for questioning on February 23 and was formally arrested the next morning. He was then produced before the concerned court, which remanded him to police custody for four days.
Police have alleged that the accused breached security arrangements at the high-profile summit venue and raised alleged “anti-national” slogans during the protest. So far, fourteen individuals have been arrested in connection with the matter.
The Sessions Court’s decision to stay the bail means that Chib will continue to remain in custody until further orders. The detailed reasoning behind the stay will become clear once the full order is released.
The case has drawn political attention as it concerns a protest at an international summit and involves allegations of security breach and raising of alleged “anti-national” slogans. Further proceedings in the Sessions Court are expected to determine whether the bail granted by the Magistrate will be upheld or set aside.
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