Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib Released from Tihar Jail After Bail Grant
In a significant development, Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib was released from Tihar jail on Tuesday, following his bail approval in connection with a protest at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit. The release comes days after a Duty Magistrate granted bail, citing insufficient grounds from the police for further custody extension.
Chib's Statement on Opposition to India-US Deal
Speaking after his release, Chib emphasized that the Congress party and its youth wing would persist in their opposition to the India-US deal, which he alleged is detrimental to farmers. "Congress members who protested and Youth Congress members are fighting against this. The way this US deal has been done, it is against the farmers of the country. We will continue this struggle against it," he stated. Chib added that the struggle would be led under the guidance of Rahul Gandhi, asserting that the deal causes losses to farmers and justifies their protests.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Conditions
Chib was granted bail on Saturday by a Duty Magistrate after the Delhi Crime Branch sought an extension of his police custody. His counsel, Advocate Sulaiman Mohammad Khan, explained that the court found the police had not provided adequate reasons to justify further remand. "The Duty Magistrate was pleased enough to grant bail to Uday Bhanu Chib and has explained in the bail order we have just read that the Police Crime Branch has not been able to explain the reasons for seeking extension of PC remand," Khan said. The bail conditions included:
- Surrendering his passport
- Handing over electronic gadgets
- Furnishing a surety of Rs 50,000
Advocate Roopesh Singh Bhadauria noted that Chib had been in police custody for four days prior to the hearing, which was unexpectedly advanced to early morning hours. "This was not a fresh arrest of Uday Bhanu Chib. He had already been in the PC for four days. We received a message at 12 midnight stating that he would be produced before the Duty Magistrate around 6 am," Bhadauria recounted, describing the rushed proceedings that began at 1:30 am.
Police Allegations and Protest Details
According to Delhi Police, Chib was identified as the "main conspirator and mastermind" behind the February 20 protest at Bharat Mandapam. Authorities alleged that anti-national slogans were raised during the event, with attempts to create a riot-like situation. Police claimed that, in conspiracy with others, Chib obstructed and assaulted on-duty personnel.
During the AI Impact Summit on February 20, several individuals reportedly entered the venue wearing T-shirts featuring images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, along with slogans criticizing the government and the India-US trade deal. This incident has sparked ongoing legal and political debates surrounding the protest and its implications.
