YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has been released after Delhi Police detained him at his Gurugram residence over his planned participation in a protest by the Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police also warned him not to go to Jantar Mantar.

According to the report, Rathee was released before the detention completed 24 hours. Police told him that another attempt to reach Jantar Mantar could lead to further legal action. The warning followed an earlier request that he avoid the protest site because permission had not been granted.

Why Rathee was detained

Rathee had travelled to India from Germany to take part in the CJP movement. Before his detention, he had announced his intention to join the Delhi demonstration. On Friday evening, he also visited India Gate and recorded a video challenging the Narendra Modi government.

Police later detained him from his home in Gurugram on Saturday morning. The report says officers first tried to persuade him not to travel to Jantar Mantar. When he did not agree, he was taken into custody.

Rathee, who was born and raised in Haryana, went to Germany for higher education. While studying engineering, he moved towards YouTube content creation. He is known as a critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Narendra Modi government. Since the formation of the CJP, he has appeared to support the organisation.

Other CJP members released

Delhi Police also released CJP legal head Ratna Singh and thousands of protesters detained from different parts of Delhi. CJP national convenor Abhijeet Deepke, co-convenor Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka were arrested as a precaution, according to the report.

They were released after being produced before a magistrate. The report does not state that they were convicted of any offence.

Rathee is described as being friendly with Deepke and Das. He had returned to India before a CJP demonstration in Bengaluru on 8 October and had announced his participation in the Delhi protest from Bengaluru.

CJP demands and planned protests

The CJP has said its movement will continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigns. The organisation is demanding a halt to the SIR process and changes to the method used to appoint election commissioners.

Ajinkya Shinde, who was authorised to lead the CJP movement, said protesters would go to Jantar Mantar on Sunday. A gathering was also planned at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.

The report describes the police action as detention and, in the case of Deepke, Das and Ranka, precautionary arrest followed by release after a magistrate hearing. It does not provide further details about any case or charge against Rathee.

Conclusion

Dhruv Rathee has been released, but Delhi Police warned him against attempting to return to Jantar Mantar. The CJP has said its demonstrations and demands concerning Gyanesh Kumar, the SIR process and election-commissioner appointments will continue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why was Dhruv Rathee detained?

He was detained over his planned participation in the CJP protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Q. Where was Rathee detained?

Delhi Police detained him at his residence in Gurugram.

Q. When was Rathee released?

He was released on Sunday before 24 hours had passed since his detention.

Q. What warning did police give Rathee?

Police warned that he could face legal action if he tried to go to Jantar Mantar again.

Q. Why did police ask protesters to avoid Jantar Mantar?

The report says permission for the demonstration had not been granted.

Q. Which other CJP members were released after a magistrate hearing?

Abhijeet Deepke, Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released after being produced before a magistrate.

Q. What are the CJP's demands?

The CJP is demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, a halt to the SIR process and changes to the election-commissioner appointment process.