Delhi vs Himachal Police Clash: How 24-Hour Standoff Over Youth Congress Arrests Unfolded

A dramatic 24-hour standoff between the Delhi Police and the Himachal Pradesh Police unfolded in Shimla over the arrest of three Youth Congress activists linked to a shirtless protest during an AI Summit in Delhi. The confrontation involved a kidnapping FIR, multiple road interceptions, detention of officers, and a midnight court hearing before the situation was resolved.

The three accused — Saurabh, Arbaaz and Siddharth — had reportedly left Delhi and checked into a resort in the Rohru area of Shimla district. Acting on intelligence inputs, a Special Cell team from Delhi Police travelled to Himachal Pradesh to locate and detain them.

Arrest at Resort Sparks Controversy

According to reports, a Delhi Police team of around 15–20 personnel in plain clothes reached the resort early Wednesday morning and detained the three individuals. The team then began transporting them back toward Delhi.

Resort authorities later filed a complaint with the local police, alleging that unidentified individuals had “kidnapped” their guests. Shimla Police subsequently registered an FIR under kidnapping charges against unknown persons, leading to immediate tensions between the two state police forces.

It was also alleged that the Delhi Police team seized the resort’s CCTV DVR without issuing a formal seizure memo at the time.

Convoy Intercepted on Highway

Soon after, Himachal Police intercepted the Delhi Police convoy on National Highway-5 near the Shoghi border between Shimla and Solan. Around 20 Delhi Police personnel were detained for questioning. Shimla Police argued that the arrest process did not follow local legal procedures and lacked prior intimation or transit remand from a Himachal court.

Delhi Police maintained that they were operating within legal limits and had 24 hours to produce the accused before a court.

Midnight Court Hearing

As tensions escalated, the matter was presented before the court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Shimla. The accused underwent medical examinations late Wednesday night.

At approximately 1:30 am on Thursday, the court granted transit remand to the Delhi Police, allowing them 18 hours to transport the accused to Delhi.

Second Round of Interceptions

Despite the remand order, the Delhi Police convoy was reportedly stopped again within Shimla city at Kanlog. Himachal Police insisted that only three Delhi officers escort the accused, while the remaining personnel stay back for investigation in the kidnapping case.

Around 4:00 am, the convoy was halted again near the Shoghi border. Shimla Police reportedly sought access to the seized DVR and demanded vehicle keys.

Standoff Ends

After hours of negotiations, Delhi Police shared a copy of the seizure memo detailing the digital evidence but declined to hand over the physical DVR or vehicle. Eventually, Himachal Police cleared the convoy to proceed to Delhi with the accused.

The 24-hour confrontation has raised legal and procedural questions about inter-state police coordination and arrest protocols. Further investigation into the kidnapping FIR and procedural compliance is expected.