New Delhi, 17 March (H.S.): Patiala House Court issued notices to Delhi Police on the anticipatory bail plea of Youth Congress national general secretary Vikas Chikara in the February 20 shirtless demonstration case at Bharat Mandapam during an AI summit, with the next hearing fixed for March 20.

Police allege Chikara orchestrated the topless stunt, prompting a non-bailable warrant against him; Youth Congress in-charge Manish Sharma's similar plea awaits verdict on March 18, while co-accused Rajeev Kumar holds interim bail till March 28.

Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib secured magistrate bail on February 28, stayed by sessions court that day but reinstated by Delhi High Court on March 2; general secretary Nigam Bhandari enjoys interim relief till March 24.

Authorities recount scuffles injuring three officers before arrests, with protesters initially planning black umbrellas and stickered entries but switching to message-printed T-shirts concealed under sweaters and jackets, culminating in Hall No. 5 where they bared torsos and waved garments.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar