The state police’s action to detain around 20 Delhi Police personnel, who had come to nab three accused allegedly linked to the Youth Congress protest at the AI Summit in Delhi, has snowballed into a political row. The Congress government and the BJP are now locked in a war of words.
The Delhi Police could take the accused back to the national capital only at around 5 am after high-voltage drama. The Shimla Police lodged an FIR against the Delhi cops for allegedly trying to take the three youths without informing the local police. They were also stopped from leaving for Delhi overnight.
Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan, accused the BJP of giving political colour to the issue.
He said the matter pertained to Delhi Police not following proper protocol. He stated that the Delhi Police entered Himachal and arrested three persons from Chirgaon in Rohru without informing the local police. “How can it be allowed that police from another state come to Himachal and arrest people without informing local police or obtaining a warrant from a local court?” he questioned. He added that while police teams often visit other states to arrest accused persons, there are defined procedures, which were not followed. He also said there was nothing wrong with a ‘shirtless’ protest in a democratic system.
The BJP strongly objected to the Shimla Police action, alleging that the accused from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were helped by the Himachal government and allowed to stay at a resort in Chirgaon, booked in the name of a Congress leader.
A BJP delegation led by Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum. They alleged interference by Himachal Pradesh Police in the lawful actions of the Delhi Police in connection with the AI Impact Summit 2026 case and termed it an assault on the federal structure.
Speaking to mediapersons, Thakur said the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi elevated India’s global stature. However, he alleged that certain Youth Congress leaders attempted to tarnish the country’s image through an indecent protest.
Thakur claimed that the obstruction of Delhi Police was aimed at preventing seizure of CCTV DVRs and related documents. “There appears to be fear that the DVR footage could expose the conspiracy,” he alleged.
He said an FIR was registered in Delhi and due legal process was initiated. He alleged that some Youth Congress leaders were given shelter at Himachal Sadan in New Delhi and that room bookings were made through the Chief Minister’s Office.
Thakur said Delhi Police reached Rohru and arrested three individuals—Saurabh Singh from Amethi, Arvaz from Kanpur, and Siddharth from Madhya Pradesh—from a hotel in the Chanshal Valley area. He alleged that the Delhi Police team was stopped at Dharampur and an FIR was registered against them despite valid documents and court orders. Even after transit remand was granted, they were allegedly obstructed for hours.
“This amounts to placing the police forces of two states in confrontation, which is a direct blow to the spirit of cooperative federalism,” Thakur said. He urged the Governor to recommend a high-level probe and ensure strict action if administrative machinery was misused.
Also read: Khaki vs Khaki: Arrest sparked police standoff in Himachal
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