AI Summit Protest Case: Delhi Court Grants Interim Protection To T-Shirt Designer Linked To Demonstration
Patiala House Court granted interim protection from arrest to a T-shirt designer accused of helping plan the protest during the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi
A Delhi Court on Wednesday granted interim protection from arrest to a T-shirt designer in connection with the protest that took place during the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam on February 20.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Amit Bansal of the Patiala House Courts granted relief to Umesh Chandra Padala, who has been accused of designing T-shirts allegedly worn by protestors during the demonstration organised by members of the Indian Youth Congress.
While granting interim protection, the court directed Padala to cooperate with the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Delhi Police.
The court also ordered that in the event the investigating agency seeks to arrest him, Padala must be given a seven-day prior notice.
Padala, a resident of Guntur, has been attributed the role of designing the T-shirts allegedly used during the protest. Investigators claim that he assisted the alleged main conspirators in planning the demonstration that took place during the summit.
During the hearing, Padala was represented by Advocates Saimon Farooqui and Mohd Azam Khan.
The case arises from a protest staged during the AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam on February 20. According to the police, the demonstration was organised by members associated with the Indian Youth Congress.
Following the incident, the Delhi Police registered a case and initiated an investigation into the alleged planning and execution of the protest.
Among those arrested in connection with the case is Udai Bhanu Chib, President of the Indian Youth Congress, along with 13 other individuals. The investigation into the matter has since been transferred to the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police for further probe.
Meanwhile, anticipatory bail pleas filed by two other accused, Manish Sharma and Rajeev Kumar, are scheduled to be taken up for hearing before the Patiala House Court on Thursday. The court is expected to consider their pleas in light of the ongoing investigation and the allegations relating to the organisation of the protest during the high-profile summit.
With interim protection granted to Padala, the court has directed him to cooperate with investigators as the probe into the alleged conspiracy behind the protest continues.
In a related news, on March 1, the Court had granted bail to nine Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers arrested in connection with the “shirtless” protest staged during an AI summit in the national capital.
Interestingly, Indian Youth Congress (IYC) National President Uday Bhanu Chib was released from Tihar Jail on March 3, after the Delhi High Court on March 2, stayed a sessions court's order that had put Chib's bail on hold. Justice Saurabh Banerjee had remarked that the sessions court's order was "devoid of reasons" and showed "no application of mind".
On February 28, the court had remanded Chib to judicial custody, even as he had been granted bail earlier in the day. The court had directed verification of the surety bond furnished on Chib’s behalf and sought a report by tomorrow. Pending verification, the court ordered that he be remanded to judicial custody.
Chib was arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch in connection with the February 20 protest at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit in the national capital. The demonstration, described by police as a “shirtless protest,” led to the arrest of eight individuals, including the IYC chief. Earlier in the day, a Duty Magistrate had granted bail to Chib after the prosecution failed to persuade the court on the need for further police custody. However, as part of the bail conditions, the accused was required to furnish a surety bond.
Previously, on February 21, the court had remanded four Indian Youth Congress (IYC) leaders to five days’ police custody in connection with a protest at the AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. Judicial Magistrate Ravi of the Patiala House Courts allowed the Delhi Police’s plea seeking custodial interrogation of the accused. A detailed order is awaited. The four arrested protesters: Krishna Hari, National Secretary of the IYC from Bihar; Kundan Yadav, IYC State Secretary, Bihar; Ajay Kumar, IYC State President, Uttar Pradesh; and Narasimha Yadav from Telangana, were produced before the court amid heavy security arrangements.
Bench: Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Amit Bansal
Hearing Date: March 11, 2026