New Delhi, February 24: In a high-stakes legal battle, a Delhi court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the police custody plea for Uday Bhanu Chib, the national president of Indian Youth Congress. The court will pronounce its order at 12:30 PM, amid tight security arrangements outside the premises.
Delhi Police sought seven days of custody for Chib, alleging his deep involvement in a larger conspiracy behind recent protests. Prosecutors argued that Chib provided logistical support to demonstrators who converged from various parts of the country. ‘We need to take the accused to multiple locations to verify facts linked to outstation participants,’ the police counsel submitted.
The prosecution painted a picture of orchestrated unrest, claiming Chib monitored protest activities and directed participants who reached Mandapam under his instructions. With foreign delegates present at the site, police highlighted potential damage to India’s global image, touching on critical issues of national security, sovereignty, and unity.
Chib’s defense counsel vehemently opposed the custody demand, calling the arrest ‘unnecessary and laughable.’ They pointed out full cooperation in the probe and questioned the basis of custody over mere recovery of T-shirts. ‘Protesters were unarmed and peaceful; seven-eight T-shirts have already been seized. Printing them anywhere doesn’t justify raiding a factory,’ the lawyer argued.
Earlier, Chib was taken into custody in the morning, interrogated, and formally arrested. As the nation watches, the court’s decision could set precedents in politically charged cases. The hearing resumes shortly, with implications for youth politics and protest rights.