'I was kidnapped': Dhruv Rathee after Delhi Police detention ahead of CJP protest
YouTube activist Dhruv Rathee, who was detained by Delhi Police ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, was released late at night, a police officer said.
Rathee was detained from his home in Gurugram's Sector 56 as police stepped up security across the national capital to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar for a demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest was linked to alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
"He can be detained again or further legal action might be taken if he tries to go to Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders," a police officer told news agency PTI.
Dhruv Rathee calls detention ‘kidnapping’
After returning home, Rathee disputed the police's description of the incident, claiming he had been kidnapped rather than arrested or detained.
"I was not arrested or detained, I was KIDNAPPED. Thank you for your support, here's the full story," Rathee said in a post on X.
I was not arrested or detained, I was KIDNAPPED. Thank you for your support, here's the full story 👇 https://t.co/gcN8cAUOmY
— Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) October 11, 2026
The CJP, a political satirical group, alleged in a separate post on X that around 50 police personnel in plainclothes arrived at Rathee's residence at 8 am on Saturday and took him away.
Rathee is known for his criticism of the NDA government and has expressed support for Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.
Over 3,000 detained during Delhi protest crackdown
The detention came amid extensive security arrangements across Delhi ahead of the CJP-led demonstration.
More than 3,000 protesters, including politicians, were detained on Saturday and released later that night.
Police restrictions prevented demonstrators from gathering at Jantar Mantar, forcing them to split into smaller groups across the city.
CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were also placed under preventive arrest before being released by an executive magistrate on Sunday.
Supreme Court hearing expected over metro shutdown
The Supreme Court was expected to hold a special sitting on Sunday to hear a contempt petition concerning the blanket closure of Delhi Metro stations and the suspension of train services on Saturday.
Metro services resumed on Sunday morning, although security remained tight at station entrances and exits. Buses were also stationed nearby to transport detained protesters.
On Friday, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan had directed that metro services should not be completely stopped ahead of the planned protest.
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