SHIMLA/DELHI — What began as a covert arrest operation by the Delhi Police Special Cell in the quiet hills of Rohru spiraled into a high-stakes confrontation between two state forces. The conflict highlights a significant breakdown in inter-state police coordination and mandatory legal protocols.
1. The Trigger: The “Shirtless Protest”
The three accused—Saurabh Singh, Arbaaz Khan, and Siddharth Avdhoot—were wanted in connection with a security breach at last Friday’s AI Impact Summit. The trio had conducted a “shirtless protest” inside the exhibition hall, brandishing T-shirts with slogans opposing the government and the India-US trade deal.
2. The Midnight Arrest and “Kidnapping” Claim
At 5:30 AM on Wednesday, 15 to 20 plainclothes officers from Delhi Police intercepted the accused at a resort in Chirgaon, Rohru.
- The Lapse: Himachal Police alleged they were neither informed nor taken into confidence.
- The Retaliation: Labeling the act as “forcible removal,” the Shimla Police registered an FIR against the Delhi officers for kidnapping, wrongful confinement, and house trespass under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
3. The Highway Interception
As the Delhi team drove toward the capital, they were intercepted by Himachal authorities at Dharampur (Solan) and Shoghi.
- Seizure of Vehicles: Shimla Police allegedly seized the Delhi Police’s government vehicles, leading to a five-hour “detention” of the officers.
- The Argument: Heated exchanges broke out at the barriers. “This is our government vehicle… it could not have been seized,” stated Delhi Police ACP Rahul Vikram, describing the experience as an unlawful detention.
4. 1:00 AM Court Verdict
The legal “tug-of-war” shifted to the courtroom of ACJM-II Ekansh Kapil in Shimla during a rare late-night session.
- Transit Remand: After prolonged arguments over procedural lapses, the court finally granted the Delhi Police transit remand at 1:00 AM.
- The Departure: Following the release of their seized vehicles and the completion of a seizure memo, the Delhi team was allowed to leave for the capital just before dawn on Thursday.
Timeline of the Delhi-Shimla Standoff
| Time | Event |
| Wed, 5:30 AM | Delhi Police arrest 3 IYC workers from a resort in Rohru. |
| Wed Morning | HP Police intercept Delhi teams at Solan; vehicles seized. |
| Wed Evening | Shimla Police file FIR against Delhi Police for “kidnapping.” |
| Thu, 1:00 AM | Shimla Court grants transit remand to Delhi Police. |
| Thu, 5:55 AM | Delhi Police depart for the capital with the accused. |