YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was released late on Saturday, hours after he was detained and prevented from participating in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Four former chief ministers and the leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) – a satirical movement that forced the resignation of the education minister three months ago – were among those detained as police cracked down on students, lawyers and politicians, successfully refusing passage to Jantar Mantar. Yet, sporadic protests bubbled up at different points of the city throughout the day, even as police rushed to smother the stirs. The Opposition – which had brought central Delhi to a halt last week – has already declared fresh protests from Monday.
“He can be detained again, or further legal action might be taken if he tries to go to Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders,” an unnamed police officer was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. On Saturday, police stepped up security across the national capital to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar for a demonstration demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Reeling, the CJP announced a second consecutive day of stirs on Sunday, when the Supreme Court will also hold a special sitting to hear pleas filed against the controversial crackdown.
Rathee was released at 3am and handed over to his family, according to officials. He was apprehended from his residence in Kendriya Vihar society in Gurugram sector 56 at around 7.30am on Saturday.
