Shimla, February 26:
What began as a discreet police operation linked to a controversial protest in New Delhi spiralled into an 18-hour legal and administrative standoff in Himachal Pradesh, raising uncomfortable questions over inter-state policing, jurisdiction and adherence to due process.
Three Youth Congress activists wanted in connection with the shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi were finally handed over to Delhi Police after the Shimla Police produced all concerned before a local court and ensured mandatory medical examination and legal formalities.
The ACJM-II Court, Shimla, granted an 18-hour transit remand late Wednesday night, ending a drama that stretched across Shimla, Solan and Chirgaon.
Plainclothes raid sparks alarm
The episode was triggered when the owner of Chanshal (Chandhal) Resort at Chirgaon informed police that a group of men in civilian clothes, travelling in vehicles with outside-state registration numbers, had forcibly taken away three guests from the resort and allegedly removed electronic equipment, including a DVR. The complaint immediately raised suspicion of abduction.
Responding swiftly, Shimla Police, in coordination with Solan Police, intercepted the group at multiple points—Shoghi, ISBT Shimla and Dharampur. During verification, it emerged that the men were police personnel from Delhi and Haryana who had tracked the three activists to Himachal after they allegedly fled Delhi to evade arrest.
Due process vs overreach
While Delhi Police maintained that the operation was part of a lawful pursuit in a Delhi-registered FIR, Himachal Police objected to the manner in which it was carried out.
The absence of prior coordination with local police, the use of plainclothes personnel and the alleged seizure of property without formal procedure prompted Shimla Police to step in and assert jurisdiction.
An FIR (No. 18/2026 dated February 25) has now been registered at Police Station Chirgaon on the complaint of the resort owner, and investigation into the conduct of the visiting police team is underway.
Official clarification
Clarifying the police action, Shimla Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh said the detention of the Delhi Police team was strictly limited to verification and legal compliance.
“The moment we received information about unknown persons in plainclothes taking individuals away from a resort, we were duty-bound to intervene.
The detention was only to verify identity, authority and legality of action. Once this process was complete, Shimla Police fully coordinated with Delhi Police and facilitated the transit remand as per law,” the SP said.
Political undercurrents
The incident has also acquired a political edge, as the detainees are linked to the Youth Congress and the original protest targeted a high-profile AI summit in the national capital.
Opposition voices have questioned whether the ‘hot pursuit’ crossed legal lines, while the ruling side has accused the activists of evading the law.
Beyond the immediate arrests, the episode highlights a deeper fault line in inter-state policing—how far one state’s police can operate without formally involving local authorities.
Shimla Police insists its intervention was necessary to protect the rule of law and public confidence, stressing that no agency, local or otherwise, is above procedure.
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