New Delhi (India) February 21:A court in Delhi awarded police 5-day custody of the 4 Youth Congress workers who undertook this shirtless demonstration at the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday within the framework of the AI summit.
In req uesting remand, Delhi Police reported that protesters had mounted a demonstration, which they said echoed protests held in Nepal, pointing out that the demonstrations were coordinated to smear the country globally.
Why 5 Days Custody?
When a questioning officer asked why police seek a 5-day term for the accused, he replied his investigation of the case was that there was a deep conspiracy, that other accused fled the scene, and that custody is needed for a proper investigation.
“Their custody is necessary to arrest other accused who fled. Police said that three policemen were injured and their (accused) mobile phones need to be recovered to verify whether they received funding. Four people from four different locations came together and printed T-shirts. Five days' custody is necessary to investigate the matter,” ANI quoted the Delhi police as saying.
Anti-Modi Slogans Disrupt AI Summit
The public prosecutor told the court that the accused had used anti-national slogans to call attention to the India-US trade agreement and had worn T-shirts with messages in them that showed opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The t-shirts included statements indicating 'PM is compromised', 'India-US Trade Deal' and 'Epstein Files'.
Raids Hit Print Shops, CCTV Hunts More Accused
Investigators are investigating the financial basis of the protest, including who financed printing the t-shirts that were worn during the demonstration. Teams are making raids to find the printing facility where the shirts emerged and identify individuals responsible for arranging those shirts.
Some police personnel working in the venue reportedly sustained minor injuries when the scuffle took place. Investigators are looking at CCTV footage and video from inside and outside the venue to spot other suspects.
Cops Hurt in Scuffle, Mob Used QR Codes
Earlier, the Delhi Police arrested four IYC employees, who had been booked in Tilak Marg Police Station for several charges such as criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, assault on public servants, obstruction of duty, and disobedience to orders promulgated by public authorities. The police have said a mob of IYC workers went into the venue using QR code entry permits, and then protested once inside.
The protesters reportedly hoisted slogans, took off shirts worn over slogan-printed T-shirts, disrupted the premises, before security personnel removed them.