A major inter-state law enforcement confrontation has unfolded in Himachal Pradesh following the detention of three Youth Congress workers linked to the protest at the AI Summit in Delhi, triggering an unprecedented standoff between Delhi Police and Himachal Pradesh Police.
According to official information, Delhi Police teams tracked and detained three Youth Congress workers from Rohru, a remote area in Shimla district, where the protesters had reportedly gone into hiding after the AI Summit demonstration. The three individuals were staying in a hotel in Rohru and were taken into custody by Delhi Police teams that had travelled to Himachal Pradesh for the operation.
However, the operation took a dramatic turn in Solan district.
Solan Police Intercepts Delhi Police Convoy
As Delhi Police attempted to transport the detainees out of the state, Solan Police intercepted the convoy near Dharampur, on the Chandigarh–Kalka–Shimla National Highway, after receiving intelligence inputs about the movement.
Solan Police immediately set up barricades on the highway and detained nearly 20 Delhi Police personnel along with the detained Youth Congress workers. This action effectively halted the transfer, escalating the situation into a direct administrative and legal confrontation between the two police forces.
Court Intervention in Shimla
Following the interception, the three Youth Congress workers were brought to Shimla and produced before the district court. They were presented in the ACJM Court No. 2, where officers from Delhi Police were also present during the proceedings.
Simultaneously, Shimla Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh personally reached the court, indicating the seriousness of the matter and the high-level coordination now underway within Himachal Pradesh’s law enforcement system.
Background: The AI Summit Protest
The entire episode traces back to the protest during the AI Summit in Delhi, where the three Youth Congress workers were part of the demonstration. After the protest, they allegedly left Delhi and moved to Himachal Pradesh, where they remained in hiding in the Rohru region. Delhi Police subsequently launched a search operation and traced their location, leading to the detention in Shimla district.
Sources have clarified that the three Youth Congress workers are not residents of Himachal Pradesh, but had chosen the state as a temporary hideout following the protest.
Legal and Federal Sensitivities
The incident has now created a sensitive federal and legal situation, with two state police systems effectively coming face-to-face over jurisdiction, procedure, and custody rights. While Delhi Police claims operational authority linked to the AI Summit protest case, Himachal Pradesh Police has asserted procedural and territorial jurisdiction, leading to judicial intervention.
Legal experts note that such inter-state custody disputes are rare and require court-mediated resolution to ensure due process, jurisdictional clarity, and constitutional compliance.
