The confrontation between Himachal Pradesh Police and Delhi Police escalated on Wednesday (25 February 2026) when a Delhi Police team was stopped at the Shogi Barrier near Shimla. This team was taking three Youth Congress workers arrested in the case related to the shirtless demonstration during the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on 20 February to Delhi. Shimla Police registered a case of kidnapping against 15-20 unidentified persons in plain clothes. It is alleged that three youths were forcibly taken away from a resort in Rohru area without proper documents. According to the police statement, the team also took away the CCTV DVR of the resort without any receipt or seizure memo.
Delhi Police had earlier said that its Special Cell had detained Saurabh, Siddharth and Arbaaz from a hotel in Chirgaon area of Rohru subdivision. According to a Delhi official, all three were produced before the local court, from where they were given transit remand to be taken to Delhi for further investigation. According to the latest information, the Delhi Police team left for Delhi with the accused after obtaining transit remand from a local court in Shimla in the early hours of Thursday. Delhi Police lawyer Nand Lal said that the accused will be produced before a magistrate in Delhi as per procedure.
Know the complete timeline of what happened first
What happened on 20–23 February 2026
It was reported that the three Indian Youth Congress (IYC) members were involved in the alleged shirtless protest during the AI Summit held in Delhi on February 20. After the arrest of others, all three went to Himachal Pradesh and were staying in Shimla. Delhi Police started investigation and took action to arrest him.
Delhi Police team reached Shimla on 24–25 February
About 15–20 Delhi Policemen in plain clothes reached Chirgaon area of Shimla district. They went to a resort located in Mandali village, where the three Youth Congress workers were staying.
Forcible action on 25 February morning
It is alleged that the Delhi Police team took the three youths and their Thar vehicle with them. Besides, CCTV DVR was also removed from the spot without any seizure memo, receipt, warrant or transit remand document.
local police intervention
Following a complaint by the resort management, Himachal Pradesh Police stopped the Delhi Police team near the Shogi Barrier on the Shimla-Kalka Highway, when they were going towards Chandigarh/Delhi.
First confrontation between Shimla and Delhi Police
Himachal Police raised questions over the legality and procedural shortcomings of the operation and reportedly detained Delhi Police personnel for questioning for several hours. About 20 people, including policemen, were interrogated. In a video, a Delhi Police officer is heard saying that we have arrested the accused at 5 am today and have to produce them in the court within 24 hours, but you stopped us by registering an FIR at 8 pm. Himachal Police officials said in the video that I had asked you for legal documents in the morning, but you neither showed any document, nor the FIR number, nor took the transit remand.
Proceedings in Shimla court
The case reached the local court, where after completing the formalities, Delhi Police got transit remand for the three accused. After this the team was allowed to proceed and the detained personnel were released.
Second clash between Shimla and Delhi Police
Later the same day, Shimla Police again stopped the team at Shogi. Another dispute broke out and an FIR was registered against Delhi Police personnel at Chirgaon police station for alleged kidnapping and procedural violation.
Accusations and counter-allegations intensify between Shimla and Delhi Police
According to officials, out of the three detained Youth Congress members, two are accused named in the Delhi FIR, while the third has been described as a conspirator. This entire incident has increased the tension between the police of the two states. Both sides are accusing each other of obstructing the investigation and violating legal procedures. Shimla Police has also filed a private complaint in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate-2 Ekansh Kapil regarding the matter. The hearing of this case is scheduled on Thursday in Shimla.
