A Delhi court has ordered the remand of three Indian Youth Congress workers—Divyansh Girdhar, Bhudev Sharma, and Kuber Meena—to judicial custody in relation to the protest connected with the AI Summit. The ruling was made by the Patiala House Court, which also issued notices regarding their bail petitions and has scheduled a hearing for March 6. The Duty Magistrate directed that Girdhar, Sharma, and Meena undergo judicial custody following the proceedings.

Investigation Continues with Extended Police Custody

Previously, the court had extended the police custody of Bhudev Sharma and Divyansh Girdhar for an additional two days, citing that the inquiry is still in its early stages. The court emphasized the need for recovering pertinent evidence and the apprehension of other suspects associated with the case. In a separate development, the Delhi Police has contested the bail granted to nine other individuals implicated in the same case. The court has formally issued notices to these individuals as well.

Previous Bail Pleas Rejected

Duty Magistrate Charan Salwan had earlier dismissed the bail pleas of both Bhudev Sharma and Divyansh Girdhar, consequently extending their police custody by two additional days. The Delhi Police had requested an additional three days of custody for the accused. The accused sought release on bail based on the principle of parity with ten others who had received bail. Nevertheless, the court declined their requests, clarifying that the circumstances surrounding their cases differ significantly from those of the individuals already granted bail.

Legal Framework on Right to Protest Examined

During the hearing, the court discussed the right to protest, emphasizing that while it is a fundamental constitutional right, it is subject to reasonable restrictions as outlined in Articles 19(2) and 19(3) of the Indian Constitution. The court noted that the use of this right is not absolute and must be considered alongside public order and State security. The location and timing of the protest, which occurred during a national event attended by international dignitaries, were highlighted as crucial factors influencing the current investigation.

Opposition to Bail Plea from Delhi Police

In response to the bail plea by Divyansh Girdhar, the Delhi Police contended that a prior application for bail had been rejected by the Duty Magistrate on February 27, 2026. They alleged that the defense counsel had failed to disclose this information in the most recent bail application, warranting its dismissal. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Atul Shrivastav, argued for further police remand, stating that two other individuals, Manish Sharma and Vishwajeet, are currently evading arrest. He indicated that the detained suspects could assist in locating these absconders.

Allegations of Key Roles in Protest

It has been alleged that Manish Sharma, who serves as the National In-charge of the Indian Youth Congress, was instrumental in orchestrating the protest that took place on February 20, 2026. Additionally, it is claimed that Vishwajeet was involved in distributing T-shirts emblazoned with slogans near Bharat Mandapam. On behalf of the accused, Senior Advocate Tanvir Ahmed Mir, along with Roopesh Singh Bhadauria, argued that the further custody of their clients is unnecessary for the investigation.

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