YouTuber Dhruv Rathee (Img: Bengaluru protest)
New Delhi: YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has spoken out after being released late Saturday night, claiming that he was “kidnapped” rather than arrested or detained. Rathee was taken from his residence in Gurugram ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In an Instagram post following his release on October 10, Rathee wrote, “I was not arrested or detained, I was KIDNAPPED.” He also shared his account of the incident, drawing attention to the police action ahead of the proposed demonstration.
#WATCH: YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has spoken out following his release after the Gurugram Police incident, claiming, “I was not arrested or detained, I was KIDNAPPED.” Rathee thanked his supporters and said he would share the full story. He also asserted that he is an Indian citizen and holds an Indian passport.
@dhruv_rathee #Youtube #cjp_पार्टी @Cockroachisback
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) October 11, 2026
According to media reports, Rathee was detained at his Gurugram residence as authorities stepped up security measures to prevent protesters from reaching the protest venue in the national capital. He was released later that night.
Rathee’s statement came after hours of uncertainty surrounding his detention. He also said that he had not given any undertaking to Gurugram Police, according to the report.
The police action took place ahead of the CJP’s planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The party had called for a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The CJP had announced its protest over concerns surrounding the revision of voter lists and demanded accountability from the Election Commission. The party also sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police had denied permission for the proposed demonstration, citing security and procedural concerns. Authorities subsequently increased security arrangements across Delhi and detained several people ahead of the protest.
The detention of Rathee and other activists sparked criticism from the CJP, which called for their immediate release. Rathee’s latest remarks have added another dimension to the controversy surrounding the police action and restrictions imposed ahead of the demonstration.
