Delhi Police Detains Three More Suspects in Congress Shirtless Protest Incident
In a significant development, Delhi Police has apprehended three additional individuals from Himachal Pradesh, including one alleged key conspirator, in connection with the controversial shirtless protest staged by Indian Youth Congress members during the recent Artificial Intelligence summit held at Bharat Mandapam. The arrests have ignited a serious inter-state dispute between the police forces of Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.
Alleged Conspirator and WhatsApp Group Involvement
According to official sources, one of the arrested individuals, identified as Saurabh, is accused of creating a WhatsApp group that played a central role in organizing the protest. He was allegedly among those who negotiated the procurement of shirts bearing objectionable slogans, with an upfront payment reported to be approximately Rs 1 lakh. This financial transaction underscores the planned nature of the demonstration, which aimed to disrupt the high-profile AI summit.
High Drama and Allegations of Kidnapping
The arrests were marked by intense drama, as associates of the accused made multiple PCR calls claiming that the trio had been kidnapped by individuals posing as police officers. In response, Himachal Pradesh Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against around 20 Delhi Police personnel. The FIR alleges that the Delhi cops abducted the three men from Rohru in Shimla without informing the local police authorities, a move that has escalated tensions between the two state forces.
Detention of Delhi Police Officers
Among the Delhi Police officers detained by Himachal Pradesh Police were Assistant Commissioner of Police Rahul Vikram and Inspector Satish Rana, who were held until late Wednesday. Shimla Police reported that they received information indicating that 15-20 unidentified individuals, dressed in plainclothes, arrived in vehicles and forcibly took away three persons staying at Chanshal Resort in Mandli, Chirgaon. The group also seized a Thar vehicle belonging to the guests, further complicating the situation.
Key Points of Contention:- The DVR of the CCTV cameras installed at the complainant's resort was allegedly taken without any seizure memo or receipt, raising procedural concerns.
- Himachal Pradesh Police set up a checkpoint at Dharampur in Solan district, where they detained the Delhi Police team along with the three arrested men.
- Delhi Police officers maintained that they lawfully detained Arbaz, Saurabh, and Siddharth, and possessed proper arrest memos and required documentation to produce them before a Delhi court.
Court Proceedings and Further Confrontations
The group was escorted to the Shimla district court, where Delhi Police presented documents related to the Delhi FIR. The court permitted Delhi Police to take the trio to Delhi for further legal proceedings. However, as the team proceeded towards Delhi, Shimla Police stopped them again near Shoghi, informing them that an FIR had been filed and directing them to join the probe into the alleged abduction.
Political Reactions and Inter-State Protocol
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu weighed in on the matter, stating that Delhi Police should have at least informed Himachal government officials before conducting the operation. This comment highlights the broader issues of inter-state police cooperation and protocol, which have been brought into sharp focus by this incident. The case underscores the challenges in coordinating law enforcement actions across state boundaries, especially in politically sensitive situations.
The ongoing investigation continues to unfold, with both police forces asserting their positions. The incident has not only legal implications but also political ramifications, as it involves members of a major political party and a high-profile event. Authorities on both sides are expected to provide further updates as the probe progresses, aiming to resolve the inter-state dispute and ensure justice is served in accordance with the law.
