Dhruv Rathee released after detention amid Delhi CJP protests
New Delhi: YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was reportedly released at around 3 am on Sunday after being detained for several hours in connection with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Rathee, who resides abroad, had travelled to India to join the demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Saturday morning.
According to police accounts, Rathee was detained by three Crime Branch teams from his home in Sector 56 and taken to a Crime Branch office, where he was questioned for approximately an hour. He was subsequently escorted towards Delhi in a convoy of three vehicles, with the YouTuber travelling in one of them.
His reported release comes amid growing criticism of the police crackdown on protesters, activists and Opposition leaders attempting to participate in the CJP demonstration.
Delhi Police detain protesters, Opposition leaders
The CJP had called for a protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police had denied permission for the demonstration earlier in the week, citing security concerns and procedural requirements.
Despite the restrictions, protesters attempted to reach Jantar Mantar, prompting police to deploy extensive security arrangements and detain demonstrators at several locations.
More than 1,000 people were reportedly detained on Saturday, including Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Kejriwal and several other AAP leaders were subsequently released.
The police action also led to the closure of entry and exit gates at 45 Delhi Metro stations on Saturday. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced on Sunday that all station gates had reopened and interchange facilities had been restored.
Abhijeet Dipke, two CJP leaders placed under preventive arrest
Meanwhile, Delhi Police confirmed on Sunday that CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke and two other party leaders, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, had been placed under preventive arrest.
The three were detained inside an aircraft after their flight from Mumbai landed at Delhi airport on Saturday morning.
A senior police officer said they would be produced before an Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station on Sunday.
The CJP had earlier raised concerns over their whereabouts, alleging that neither their families nor party representatives had been informed about their detention for more than 12 hours.
“It’s been 12 hours. No information. No accountability,” the party said.
“You cannot make people disappear and call it democracy,” it added.