The Delhi High Court on Monday lifted the stay imposed by a Sessions Court on the bail granted to Indian Youth Congress (IYC) President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with protests held during the India AI Impact Summit.

Justice Saurabh Banerjee stayed the Sessions Court order, observing that it appeared to have been passed without proper application of mind or adequate reasoning. The Court noted that although stay of bail can be granted only in rare and exceptional circumstances, the Sessions Court order did not demonstrate why the case met that threshold.

The High Court issued notice on Chib’s plea and directed that the Sessions Court order cancelling the bail shall remain stayed until further consideration of the matter.

Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for Chib, argued that the police had challenged the magistrate’s bail order through a revision petition that was not maintainable and was decided ex parte without supplying a copy to the accused. The prosecution, represented by Additional Solicitor General DP Singh and Standing Counsel Sanjay Lao, contended that the magistrate’s order was not interlocutory and was therefore open to revision.

The Court stated that while the matter would be heard in detail after responses are filed, the stay on the Sessions Court order would continue in the interim.