Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Dhruv Rathee Calls Detention ‘Kidnapping’ After Release
Dhruv Rathee said people in plain clothes took him from his home in Gurugram.
He said he was kept for about 22 to 23 hours and could not use his phone or speak to his lawyer.
After he was released, he made a video and showed his Indian passport.
He called what happened “kidnapping” and said he was not given a reason for being taken.
Rathee connected the incident to a planned protest in Delhi by the Cockroach Janata Party.
Delhi Police had not allowed the gathering.
Rathee said the government was trying to silence people who disagree with it.
These accounts of his treatment are allegations in his video and were not independently verified in the article.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee said plainclothes personnel took him from his Gurugram home on October 10 and held him for about 22 to 23 hours.
In a post-release video, Rathee showed his passport and said he was an Indian citizen, rejecting claims that he held foreign citizenship.
Rathee alleged that he was not told why he was being taken, and was denied access to his phone and lawyer; these claims were not independently verified in the report.
He said the incident was linked to the Cockroach Janata Party’s planned Delhi protest, which authorities had not permitted.
Rathee accused the government of suppressing dissent and said he would continue speaking publicly; the article also reports that three CJP leaders were released after preventive detention.
- Who
- YouTuber Dhruv Rathee; he said plainclothes personnel took him from his home.
- What
- Rathee described being held for about 22 to 23 hours as “kidnapping” and alleged he was denied phone and lawyer access.
- When
- The incident was on October 10; Rathee was released late Saturday.
- Where
- Rathee’s home in Sector 56, Gurugram; the episode came ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
- Why
- The detention came ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party’s planned protest demanding the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
Rathee’s allegations
Authorities’ actions and available verification
Nature of the incident
Rathee’s allegations
Rathee said he was taken from his home without officials identifying themselves or explaining a legal basis, and called the incident “kidnapping.”
Authorities’ actions and available verification
The article reports his account but provides no direct response from the personnel involved; his allegations could not be independently verified from his video alone.
Access while held
Rathee’s allegations
Rathee alleged that his phone was taken and that he could not contact his lawyer during the 22-to-23-hour period.
Authorities’ actions and available verification
The article gives no independent account or official explanation about his access to a phone or lawyer.
Planned Delhi protest
Rathee’s allegations
The CJP planned a demonstration calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
Authorities’ actions and available verification
Delhi Police denied permission for the gathering and increased security in Delhi ahead of it.
- Person
- Dhruv Rathee, a YouTuber
- Reported incident date
- October 10
- Reported time held
- Approximately 22 to 23 hours, according to Rathee
- Location
- Rathee’s residence in Sector 56, Gurugram
- Planned protest
- Cockroach Janata Party demonstration at Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Protest demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged Special Intensive Revision irregularities
- Police position reported
- Delhi Police denied permission for the planned gathering
- Related releases
- Three CJP leaders were released Sunday morning after nearly 24 hours in preventive detention, subject to conditions linked to maintaining peace