YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained by Delhi Police at his Gurugram residence on Saturday, October 10, ahead of a proposed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
According to a Moneycontrol report citing News18, a team of Delhi Police arrived at Rathee’s residence in Central Park Vihar, Sector 56, Gurugram, on Saturday morning. The team reportedly entered the house at around 7:48 am after his mother opened the door.
The circumstances surrounding the detention and the specific legal grounds for the police action were not immediately clear.
Why Was Dhruv Rathee Detained?
Rathee was reportedly preparing to participate in the CJP demonstration, which was called to demand Kumar’s resignation amid allegations concerning electoral roll revisions and irregularities in the voter-list revision process.
Delhi Police had denied permission for the proposed demonstration, citing procedural lapses and law-and-order concerns. The detention came ahead of the planned gathering, although authorities had not publicly established the precise grounds for taking Rathee into custody at the time of publication.
According to the report, around 50 police personnel had gathered outside his Gurugram residence late on Thursday night. Further details about the operation and whether Rathee would be formally arrested or released were awaited.
Rathee had also criticised the security restrictions imposed in Delhi ahead of the proposed protest. In a social media video, he questioned measures reportedly affecting public transport and communications, including train cancellations and a temporary suspension of mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi.
Delhi Tightens Security Ahead of CJP Demonstration
Delhi was placed under heightened security ahead of the proposed gathering, with police personnel deployed at key locations and along routes leading to Jantar Mantar and other sensitive areas.
Media reports indicated that authorities had introduced preventive measures to restrict unauthorised gatherings and maintain public order. Police were also reported to have detained people attempting to reach the protest site.
The security measures came amid concerns about potential disruptions to traffic, public transport and essential services.
The proposed demonstration has also raised questions about the balance between maintaining public order and protecting the right to peaceful assembly. While authorities cited procedural and security concerns in denying permission, the circumstances surrounding Rathee’s detention remained unclear.
Further details on the official grounds for the detention and any subsequent legal action were awaited.