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Delhi police vs Himachal police Youth Congress arrest Dharampur: Dramatic face-off over ‘Illegal’ detention
Solan/Shimla, Feb 25,
The political and administrative fault lines between the BJP and Congress sharpened dramatically on Wednesday after an unprecedented on-ground confrontation between Delhi Police and Himachal Pradesh Police over the custody of three Youth Congress leaders.
According to sources, Delhi Police teams reached Rohru in Shimla district early Wednesday and detained three Youth Congress functionaries, allegedly in connection with protests held in the national capital during the AI Summit 2026.
However, while the team was transporting the detainees towards Delhi, Himachal Pradesh Police intercepted the vehicle in Dharampur (Solan district). In a rare move, the state police stopped the Delhi team and took custody of the three individuals, effectively reversing the arrest.
Legal procedure under question
The core of the controversy lies in alleged procedural lapses. Sources indicate that Delhi Police had not obtained a transit remand from a local Himachal court—mandatory when an accused is arrested outside the investigating state and needs to be transferred.
Himachal Police reportedly objected to this, terming the action “illegal” and a violation of due process. The three individuals are now believed to have been produced before a local court in Himachal Pradesh.
Notably, officials from both sides have avoided making detailed on-record statements, adding to the ambiguity surrounding the exact charges and legal grounds.
Preliminary inputs suggest that the detained individuals were not originally from Himachal Pradesh but had been staying at a rest house in the Mendli area of Rohru.
Delhi Police have reportedly seized the visitor register of the property to trace the booking details and establish possible links. However, there is no official confirmation on these findings yet.
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Political context: AI summit protests
The developments come in the backdrop of protests staged by Youth Congress workers in Delhi during the AI Summit 2026.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had earlier defended the presence of Youth Congress activists at Himachal Pradesh Bhawan in Delhi, asserting that booking accommodation through proper procedure does not amount to any violation. He maintained that peaceful protest is a democratic right and that staying in state-run facilities after due payment is permissible for any citizen.
The BJP has strongly criticised the episode, alleging political shielding of protestors and misuse of state mechanisms. Party leaders have questioned the role of the Himachal government, calling it an attempt to obstruct lawful investigation.
On the other hand, Congress has framed the issue as an instance of political vendetta and “overreach” by central agencies.
Legal observers point out that inter-state arrests require coordination, intimation to local police, and judicial approval through transit remand—procedures meant to prevent exactly such confrontations.
Ground reality still unclear
To the key question being raised by journalists—“क्या यह सही है?” (Is this accurate?)—the answer remains partially unresolved by the State Police.
While multiple sources confirm the interception and custody reversal in Dharampur, official clarity on charges, legal documentation, and sequence of events is still awaited.
Until formal statements emerge, the incident stands as a developing story—one that has already exposed a rare and uneasy standoff between two state forces, with political consequences likely to follow.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
