Last Updated:February 27, 2026, 08:54 IST

Investigators are probing whether funds collected for the Bihar elections were used to finance an Indian Youth Congress protest at the AI Summit in Delhi.

Congress’s election funds may have been used to finance a protest by members of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) at the AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam, investigators are probing.

The funds were allegedly collected for the Bihar elections, officers privy to the investigation told News18.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to probe the “organised" protest has scanned multiple bank accounts linked to those arrested in the case.

Accounts associated with the Indian Youth Congress have also been examined.

“Some amount was received in bank accounts linked to Shri Krishna Hari, the national secretary of the IYC. Questioning has indicated that the money may have been unused funds from the Bihar elections. We are examining bank accounts and the possible money trail further to establish this," one of the investigators said, requesting anonymity.

Police have found that nearly Rs 35,000 was allegedly used to arrange logistics such as printing T-shirts and placards for the protest.

Investigators said umbrellas were also printed but could not be used for unspecified reasons.

So far, at least 11 persons associated with the Indian Youth Congress have been arrested. Three of them were brought to Delhi in the early hours of Friday from Himachal Pradesh on transit remand.

Among those arrested, IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib and National Secretary Shri Krishna Hari are suspected to be the masterminds behind the protest.

Officers familiar with the probe said Hari’s bank account is linked to the IYC’s account and has received funds on multiple occasions.

“We are examining how and when the money was spent and for what purposes," another officer said, also requesting anonymity.

The February 20 protest was staged at Bharat Mandapam on the final day of the AI Summit, in the lobby area of Hall Number Five.

Four persons, National Secretary Krishna Hari, who hails from Bihar; Bihar state secretary Kundan Yadav; Eastern Uttar Pradesh vice president Ajai Kumar; and Narsimha Yadav from Telangana, were initially arrested at the spot, while a search was launched for others involved.

On Tuesday, the investigation into the protest was handed over to the Delhi Police Crime Branch.

The same day, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Devesh Srivastava addressed the media and said the protesters attempted to breach the security cordon in front of visitors at the AI Summit, during which some police personnel were injured.

He added that the involvement of several individuals had been confirmed at the preliminary stage of the probe.

“CCTV footage was examined, and some individuals who had provided assistance were identified. Office bearers of the Indian Youth Congress are also involved in the case," the officer said.

Following the February 20 incident, Delhi Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 195(1) (assaulting or obstructing a public servant while suppressing a riot), 221 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions), 223(A) (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant), 190 (unlawful assembly), 196 (promoting enmity between groups), 197 (acts prejudicial to national integration), and 3(5) (common intention).

News india Congress's Bihar Election Funds May Have Been Used To Back AI Summit Protest, Probe Suggests

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