New Delhi, 10 October (H.S.): YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained by Delhi Police at his residence in Gurugram on Saturday morning ahead of a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar in the national capital. The proposed protest was organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to raise concerns over the functioning of the electoral system and demand accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

According to reports, a team of around 50 police personnel arrived at Rathee’s residence in Sector 56, Gurugram, and detained him before he could join the demonstration. The specific legal grounds for his detention were not immediately clear.

Rathee had announced his intention to participate in the protest through a video posted on social media on Friday evening. He had returned to India from Germany earlier in the week and had taken part in a similar demonstration organised by the group in Bengaluru on October 8.

The CJP strongly criticised the police action and called for Rathee’s immediate release.

Police Cite Security Concerns

The detention came amid heightened security arrangements across Delhi ahead of the proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar. Police had denied permission for the demonstration, citing procedural requirements, concerns over public safety and the potential impact on traffic and law and order.

Authorities subsequently increased security at key locations across the capital and introduced preventive measures to restrict unauthorised gatherings and movement towards the proposed protest site.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar