The Patiala House Court today has granted five days’ police custody to four Youth Congress workers arrested for protesting during the India AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam.

Delhi Police produced the accused before the Patiala House Court, alleging that they raised anti-national slogans at a venue hosting delegates from several foreign countries. The prosecution sought custodial interrogation, claiming the protest was deliberately staged to disrupt an international event and had the potential to create divisions. Police further alleged that the accused pushed officers attempting to restrain them, causing injuries to some personnel.

According to the prosecution, the four were wearing T-shirts bearing photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. Their mobile phones have been seized, and police told the court that the accused hail from different states. Investigators argued that five days’ custody was necessary to probe an alleged larger conspiracy, including identifying who organised the protest and where the T-shirts were printed.

The defence opposed the plea for police remand, arguing that the accused had participated in a peaceful demonstration and that no injuries were caused to the public. Counsel submitted that all charges invoked carry a maximum sentence of less than seven years and termed the arrests politically motivated. The lawyer described the action as an affront to democratic values, contending that peaceful protest cannot be criminalised.

During arguments, the defence also pointed out that members of the ruling party have staged protests in the past, alleging that the present case was driven by political vendetta.

After hearing both sides, the Sh. Ravi, Judicial Magistrate First Class, has allowed five days’ police custody to facilitate the investigation.