AI startup founder claims wearables stolen from AI summit's 'high-security zone'

A Bengaluru-based AI startup founder alleged that the company's wearable devices were stolen when exhibitors were asked to vacate their stalls ahead of the PM's visit.

A Bengaluru-based AI startup founder has alleged that his company’s wearable devices were stolen from inside what he described as a “high-security zone” at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi on Monday. A case has been filed in connection with the incident.

Dhananjay Yadav, founder of NeoSapien, took to X to recount what he called a “shocking” experience on the opening day of the summit, claiming the theft occurred after exhibitors were asked to vacate their stalls ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.

“Day 1 of the AI Impact Summit turned to be a pain for us,” Yadav wrote. “I came genuinely excited... it was the first time the summit was being hosted in India, and I wanted to show up personally to support the ecosystem and the government’s push.”

He said that at around 12 noon, security personnel arrived to sanitise and cordon off the area ahead of the Prime Minister’s scheduled visit at 2 pm. “I explained that we’re building India’s first patented AI wearable at NeoSapien and requested a chance to showcase it,” he said.

According to Yadav, there appeared to be a “lack of co-ordination between the security itself.” While one officer allegedly allowed him to stay, another group later ordered him and his team to leave immediately.

“I asked: ‘Should we take our wearables?’ They said, others are leaving even laptops behind, security will take care. Trusting them, I left,” he wrote, adding that the gates were closed from 12 pm to 6 pm — “much much longer than expected.”