After release, Dhruv Rathi alleges police "abducted" him; CJP protest continues

Prominent Indian YouTuber Dhruv Rathi has alleged that he was abducted, not arrested, after being released from police custody.

He had been taken from his home in Gurugram on Saturday morning, ahead of a protest planned by the Chakroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. According to officials, he was released into his family's custody around 3 am on Sunday, after being held for about 22 to 24 hours.

In a video shared on social media, Rathi claimed plainclothes men pushed his mother aside, entered the house and took him from his bedroom. He said those who took him did not show uniforms or name tags, which is why he is calling it an abduction. Rebutting rumors that he could not join the protest because he holds a foreign passport, he showed his Indian passport.

CJP leaders Abhijit Deepke, Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka were also released on Sunday. An estimated 7,000 protesters were taken into custody from various locations in Delhi on Saturday. Jantar Mantar remains closed on Sunday as well, and barricades have been set up at the capital's borders. Ajinkya Sindhe, who is leading the protest, said the agitation will not stop until Gyanesh Kumar resigns.