politics
crime

Rathee Says Plainclothes Men Took Him From Home Before Protest

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee says 20 plainclothes men took him from his Gurugram home. He says they held him 22 to 23 hours, denied phone and lawyer access, and injured him. The incident preceded a protest seeking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Police could take further action if Rathee tries reaching the protest site.

11 October 2026, 4:00 pm IST2 min read13 sourcesAI-summarized from 13 sources

Image: img.onmanorama.com

About 20 men in plain clothes came into YouTuber Dhruv Rathee’s Gurugram home around 7 am on October 10, he said. They took him from his bedroom. In a video posted Sunday, Rathee said he was held for 22 to 23 hours. He could not call a lawyer or use a phone. He was injured as the men dragged him downstairs. He called it a kidnapping, not an arrest or detention. ^1,3

The 31-year-old political commentator said his mother opened the door, but the men pushed past her and went to his room. They took Rathee’s and his parents’ phones, he alleged, and drove him to two police stations. He said no one showed a uniform or nameplate, explained a legal reason for taking him, or let him contact a lawyer. Rathee was released around 3 am Sunday, according to a police official cited in one report. He also showed an Indian passport to reject claims that he was a foreign citizen. ^3,6,11

The passport dispute took on added weight after Rathee joined an anti-election-roll protest in Bengaluru on October 8. A BJP leader then asked the home ministry to check his citizenship status. The Gurugram operation came ahead of a Cockroach Janata Party rally at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, which sought Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged voter-list changes. The Election Commission and BJP deny wrongdoing. Delhi police and other forces blocked access to the rally; reports say more than 7,000 people were temporarily held, a figure Rathee also cited. ^3,5,12

Beyond the dispute over labels, the central question is what legal basis officials had to take Rathee from home. They held him without letting him call a lawyer, as he alleges. Police had earlier told Hindustan Times that officers asked him not to travel to Delhi and warned he could be held if he tried to attend. A police source said he could face further action if he tries to reach Jantar Mantar despite orders barring the protest. The supplied reports include no detailed official response to Rathee’s latest claims. ^9,10,13

Questions about this story

What was the planned protest demanding?▾

The Cockroach Janata Party planned a rally at Jantar Mantar calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged voter-list changes. The Election Commission and BJP deny wrongdoing. ^3,5

Why did Rathee show his passport?▾

Rathee displayed what he said was his Indian passport to reject claims that he was a foreign citizen and could not join the protest. ^6,12

Could Rathee face further police action?▾

A police source said he could be detained again or face further legal action if he tries to go to Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders. ¹³