Dhruv Rathee Released After 18-Hour Detention Ahead of CJP Protest
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was released early Sunday after being detained for nearly a day prior to a protest against the Chief Election Commissioner.
Dhruv Rathee was detained for 18 hours before his release.
The protest aimed to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Over 41,000 security personnel were deployed in Delhi to prevent protests.
Dhruv Rathee, a prominent YouTuber, was released from custody early Sunday morning after being detained for approximately 18 hours. His detention occurred on Saturday at around 9:30 AM from his residence in Gurugram, where he was prevented from attending a protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Officials reported that Rathee was held at a crime branch facility in Gurugram and was released at 3 AM, where he was subsequently handed over to his family. A senior police officer confirmed that the decision to detain him was made in consultation with Delhi police, who expressed concerns about potential disruptions to public order amid existing prohibitory orders in the capital.
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, individuals can be detained for a maximum of 24 hours without being presented before a magistrate. Authorities indicated that further legal action could be taken if Rathee attempted to participate in the protest despite the prohibitory measures in place. The police had ramped up security across Delhi, deploying about 41,000 personnel to thwart the planned demonstration, which led to the detention of approximately 7,000 individuals.
The CJP, a satirical political movement, had previously succeeded in forcing the resignation of a minister and was now targeting the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged irregularities. Despite the heavy police presence, sporadic protests occurred throughout the city, indicating a persistent public dissent against the government. The CJP announced plans for continued protests, with a special Supreme Court session scheduled to address complaints regarding police actions.
Looking ahead, the situation remains tense as the CJP prepares for another day of protests on Sunday. The opposition parties have also signaled their intent to mobilize demonstrations starting Monday, suggesting that the political climate in Delhi may continue to be charged in the coming days.
