Delhi Court Grants Interim Anticipatory Bail in AI Summit Protest Case
A Delhi court has granted interim anticipatory bail to an accused involved in the controversial "shirtless protest" that occurred during the Artificial Intelligence (AI) summit held in the capital. The court's decision provides temporary relief to the individual, who is facing allegations related to the demonstration.
Court Order Details and Conditions
Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal presided over the hearing and issued the order on Saturday. The interim anticipatory bail has been granted until March 28, 2026. The court has imposed specific conditions on the accused, Rajeev Kumar, requiring him to actively participate in the ongoing investigation.
Key directives from the court include:
- Kumar must join the probe with the investigating officer on March 16, 2026.
- He is required to cooperate fully with the police investigation.
- Kumar must continue to make himself available for further questioning whenever summoned by the authorities.
Background of the Case and Accused's Defense
The case stems from a protest that took place on February 20, 2026, during the AI summit in Delhi. According to police reports, a group of workers from the Indian Youth Congress allegedly entered the summit venue wearing or carrying white T-shirts. These shirts featured printed images of prominent figures, including Narendra Modi and Donald Trump, along with slogans such as "India-US Trade Deal," "Epstein Files," and "PM is compromised." The protesters reportedly raised slogans and engaged in scuffles with security personnel and police staff deployed at the event.
Rajeev Kumar is accused of being part of a premeditated conspiracy and recording the protest on his mobile phone. In his defense, Kumar's legal team, advocates Nagendra Kumar and Amrish Ranjan Pandey, argued that their client attended the summit in a personal capacity as a media consultant. They emphasized that he had registered independently for the event and possesses a clean record. The counsel also submitted that Kumar is willing to cooperate with the investigation, highlighting his commitment to legal proceedings.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
The granting of interim anticipatory bail allows Kumar to avoid immediate arrest while the investigation continues. This legal provision is often used to protect individuals from pre-trial detention when they are not considered a flight risk or a threat to the investigation. The court's emphasis on cooperation underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to legal protocols in such high-profile cases.
As the probe progresses, authorities will likely focus on gathering evidence related to the conspiracy allegations and the role of various individuals in the protest. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for how protests at international events are managed and prosecuted in India.
The interim bail order serves as a temporary measure, and further hearings are expected to determine the final disposition of the case based on the investigation's findings.
