Germany-based YouTuber and social media influencer Dhruv Rathee was reportedly detained at his residence in Gurugram on Saturday morning ahead of a youth-led protest in Delhi organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The development comes amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital and a temporary mobile internet shutdown in parts of Central Delhi.
According to police officials quoted in reports, teams from Delhi and Gurugram Police visited Rathee’s residence in Kendriya Vihar society in Sector 56, Gurugram, and urged him not to travel to Delhi for the demonstration, which had not received permission. Police said he was detained after declining their requests.
The planned protest is being led by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke. Organisers are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Mobile Internet Suspended for 24 Hours in Central Delhi
Ahead of the planned demonstration, mobile internet services were temporarily suspended within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing in Central Delhi.
According to the supplied information, the 24-hour shutdown began at 10 pm on Friday, October 9, 2026, and was scheduled to remain in effect until 10 pm on Saturday, October 10.
The restriction applies only to the specified area, while the rest of Delhi remains unaffected. Broadband and wired internet services are reported to remain functional during the shutdown.
The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the temporary restriction ahead of the CJP demonstration. The move comes as authorities prepare for a large gathering and seek to manage the security situation around the planned protest.
The mobile internet suspension may affect residents, commuters, visitors and businesses operating within the restricted area, particularly those who rely on mobile data for online payments, messaging, navigation and other digital services.
Why Was Dhruv Rathee Detained?
According to a senior Gurugram Police official, a Delhi Police team first reached Rathee’s residence and requested that he avoid travelling to the national capital for the protest.
Gurugram Police teams subsequently arrived at the residence after receiving communication from Delhi Police. Officers reportedly urged Rathee to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and help maintain peace.
The official said police decided to detain him after he declined their requests not to travel to Delhi. Police personnel were also reportedly deployed at his residence and were expected to remain there until further orders.
Rathee had recently travelled to India and shared a video on social media platforms, including X, encouraging people to gather at Jantar Mantar for the CJP demonstration on Saturday.
His reported detention has attracted attention online, particularly among people following the controversy surrounding the protest and alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
Delhi on High Alert Ahead of CJP Protest
Security arrangements across Delhi were significantly strengthened ahead of the planned demonstration. According to the supplied reports, more than 40,000 Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel were deployed, with barricades and spike strips installed at key locations.
The heavy security presence, combined with the temporary mobile internet shutdown in parts of Central Delhi, reflects the heightened preparations surrounding the demonstration.
The CJP protest has been planned at Jantar Mantar, with organisers calling for accountability over the electoral-roll revision process. Authorities have said the demonstration did not receive permission, while the organisers have continued to raise concerns about the alleged irregularities.
CJP Condemns Dhruv Rathee’s Detention
The Cockroach Janta Party confirmed Rathee’s detention through a post on X and criticised the authorities’ actions.
The organisation accused the government of being afraid of young people who question its actions and refuse to remain silent. In a separate statement, it described Rathee’s detention as part of a wider crackdown on democratic dissent.
The CJP demanded Rathee’s immediate and unconditional release, along with the release of other citizens and student activists it said had been taken into custody.
These statements represent the organisation’s position on the incident. Police, meanwhile, have justified their action by citing concerns about the unauthorised protest and the need to maintain public order.
What Is the CJP Protest About?
The demonstration has been organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The CJP has urged young people and other citizens to participate in the protest at Jantar Mantar, making voter-list transparency and accountability central to its campaign.
Rathee’s appeal for people to join the demonstration, followed by his reported detention, has added another dimension to the unfolding situation. The temporary mobile internet shutdown has also drawn attention as authorities prepare for the protest.
The developments have brought renewed focus to the debate over electoral transparency, the right to peaceful protest, internet restrictions and the balance between public order and democratic expression.
Important: The reported detention, internet restrictions, deployment figures and allegations should be independently verified against official statements and reliable news sources before publication.
