New Delhi’s legal corridors echoed with a decisive verdict on Monday as Patiala House Court ordered the release of Youth Congress President Udaybhanu Chib from jail by Tuesday afternoon in the AI Summit protest case. The court mandated the Delhi government to verify and deposit the bail security by 2 PM Tuesday, while extending his judicial custody until then.
This development follows a landmark intervention by the Delhi High Court, which earlier lifted a stay imposed by the sessions court on Chib’s bail. Justice Saurabh Banerjee’s bench halted the sessions court’s order, issued notices to Delhi Police, and sought detailed responses on the matter. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing Chib, argued passionately that the trial court’s one-sided order unjustly prolonged his client’s detention, emphasizing it as a core liberty issue.
The saga began when Patiala House Court granted conditional bail to Chib on a personal bond of Rs 50,000. The duty magistrate ruled that the crime branch failed to justify extending remand, directing Chib to surrender his passport and electronic gadgets. Youth Congress celebrated the initial bail on social media, hailing the judiciary’s midnight vigilance against alleged police maneuvers.
As Chib prepares for release, this case underscores tensions between political activism and law enforcement in India’s capital. The High Court’s scrutiny promises deeper examination of procedural lapses, potentially setting precedents for future protest-related arrests. With bail security formalities set for completion, Chib’s return to public life marks a victory for due process advocates.