Delhi Police vs Shimla Police: 24-Hour Standoff On NH-5 Over Youth Congress Protest Case Ends; Explained

A dramatic situation unfolded between the Shimla Police and Delhi Police on the night of Wednesday and Thursday on National Highway 5.

The confrontation took place when a Delhi Police team was transporting three Youth Congress workers who had been arrested in connection with a 'shirtless protest' held in New Delhi on February 20.

The Delhi Police team was taking the accused to the national capital after receiving transit remand from a Delhi court. However, the journey was interrupted by Shimla Police, leading to confusion and a tense standoff between the two forces.

Why the Youth Congress Workers Were Arrested

The three accused - identified as Saurav, Arbaaz and Siddharth - were arrested for their alleged involvement in a protest during the AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. The protest, led by Indian Youth Congress workers, involved demonstrators going shirtless and raising slogans.

Delhi Police has so far arrested 11 people in connection with the protest, including Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib. The arrested workers were later traced to a resort in Himachal Pradesh, from where the Delhi Police took them into custody.

Shimla Police Raise Objections

The confrontation began when Shimla Police stopped the Delhi Police convoy on National Highway 5. Shimla Police alleged that the accused were being forcibly taken away without proper procedure.

Officials also claimed that the Delhi Police seized DVRs of CCTV cameras from the resort where the accused were staying without issuing a receipt or official memo. Based on these allegations, Shimla Police registered a kidnapping case against unknown Delhi Police personnel and detained their vehicles.

This action led to a heated argument between the two police teams and created a tense situation on the highway.

Multiple Detentions and Medical Examination

The Delhi Police team resumed its journey after the accused underwent a medical examination at Deendayal Upadhyay Zonal Hospital in Shimla late Wednesday night.

However, the convoy was stopped again at several locations, including Kanlog and later near the Shoghi border.

Shimla Police demanded that only three Delhi Police personnel should escort the accused back to Delhi, while the remaining officers should stay behind to assist in the kidnapping investigation. They also asked for the DVRs seized from the resort to be handed over.
Delhi Police refused these demands and insisted that all its personnel would travel together with the accused and the evidence.

Viral Video Shows Heated Exchange

A video of the confrontation between the two police teams has gone viral on social media. In the video, a Delhi Police officer can be heard arguing that they needed to present the arrested individuals in court within 24 hours.

The officer questioned why Shimla Police had stopped them after registering an FIR and creating obstacles in completing legal procedures.

Political Reactions to the Incident

The incident has also triggered political reactions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government over the confrontation.
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur called the situation "shameful" and accused the state government of protecting those who allegedly tried to tarnish the country's image through the protest.

Standoff Ends After 24 Hours

After nearly 24 hours of tension and negotiations, the matter was resolved. The Delhi Police team was finally allowed to continue its journey to the national capital along with the three accused.

Authorities from both sides are continuing their respective investigations into the matter. The incident has raised serious questions about coordination between police forces of different states and the procedures followed during arrests and transit remand cases.