NEW DELHI:
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained by Delhi Police at his residence in Gurugram’s Sector 56 on Saturday ahead of a proposed protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, police sources said.
Rathee had travelled to join the demonstration, which prompted heightened security arrangements across the national capital. Police had earlier denied permission for the protest, citing security concerns and procedural requirements.
According to police sources, preventive detentions were carried out at several locations to stop protesters from reaching the proposed venue. Around 150 protesters had been detained across the New Delhi area, according to an earlier police estimate reported in connection with the operation.
The proposed demonstration centres on allegations of manipulation of electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and concerns over changes relating to Form 6, the application used for voter registration. The CJP has demanded Kumar’s resignation over the allegations.
Delhi Police had cited the need to maintain law and order while refusing permission for the gathering. The authorities also tightened surveillance and deployed personnel at strategic locations across the city in anticipation of attempts to assemble at Jantar Mantar.
Rathee’s detention came amid a broader security operation aimed at preventing an unauthorised gathering in the national capital. Police sources said preventive measures were intended to avert any disturbance during the proposed protest.
The allegations against the Election Commission concern the handling of electoral rolls and the transparency of the revision process. The claims are contested political allegations and do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing by the Chief Election Commissioner or the poll panel.
The CJP’s proposed agitation was intended to draw attention to these concerns and press for accountability from the Election Commission. The police action, meanwhile, placed the focus on the authorities’ decision to deny permission and prevent protesters from reaching the venue.