Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib Secures Bail in Bharat Mandapam Protest Case
In a significant legal development, Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib was granted bail on Saturday following his arrest in connection with a shirtless protest at Bharat Mandapam during an AI summit. The decision came after the Delhi Crime Branch could not provide substantial reasons to seek further police custody for the IYC National President.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Conditions
Advocate Sulaiman Mohammad Khan confirmed that a Duty Magistrate approved bail for Chib, emphasizing in the bail order that the police failed to explain the necessity for extending his police custody 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 stated.
The bail comes with specific conditions imposed by the court:
- Surrender of his passport and electronic gadgets
- Provision of one surety amounting to Rs 50,000
Delhi Police had sought a seven-day extension of Chib's police custody, along with applications for remand of other accused individuals for varying durations, but these requests were not granted due to lack of justification.
Arrest Details and Police Allegations
Advocate Roopesh Singh Bhadauria highlighted that Chib had already been in police custody for four days prior to the bail hearing. Initially scheduled for 6 am, the hearing was unexpectedly moved to 1:30 am, causing last-minute panic among his legal team. "We received a message at 12 midnight stating that he would be produced before the Duty Magistrate around 6 am. Thankfully, we at least received a message for him, because we didn't even receive a message about the others," Bhadauria explained.
According to Delhi Police, Chib is accused of being the "main conspirator and mastermind" behind the February 20 protest at Bharat Mandapam. Authorities allege that anti-national slogans were raised during the incident, with attempts to create a riot-like situation. Police claim that, in conspiracy with individuals including Shree Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Narsimha Yadav, and Ajay Kumar Yadav, Chib obstructed and assaulted police officials on duty.
Background of the Protest Incident
The protest occurred during the AI Impact Summit on February 20, where several men allegedly entered the venue wearing T-shirts featuring images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump, along with slogans criticizing the government and the India-US trade deal. This event has sparked controversy and legal scrutiny, leading to multiple arrests and ongoing investigations.
The case underscores tensions surrounding political demonstrations and law enforcement responses in India, with legal experts closely monitoring the proceedings for implications on civil liberties and protest rights.
