Dhruv Rathee Claims ‘Unofficial’ House Arrest, Alleges Round-the-Clock Police Surveillance
Popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has said he is being “unofficially” house-arrested by police personnel who are watching him and advising him not to take part in protests in Delhi.
Speaking to The Lallantop, Rathee said around 50 police personnel had been deployed outside his residence. He alleged that whenever he stepped out, police followed him and threatened to detain him if he approached a protest site.
“I want to join the protest but they (police) have stationed around 50 people outside my house,” Rathee said, adding that several vehicles were following him.
The YouTuber stated that he felt like he was under house arrest, but suggested that it would be an “unofficial” house arrest.
Rathee Wanted To Join INDIA Bloc’s Supreme Court March
Rathee said he wanted to participate in the INDIA bloc’s planned march to the Supreme Court on October 12. Opposition parties organised the protest to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Opposition has raised the allegations of irregular conduct in the poll under the slogan “vote chori” and also wants an end to SIR exercise and return to the paper ballot.
Rathee alleged that the police presence around his residence was preventing him from joining the demonstration. He also dismissed questions about a possible visa-related investigation, saying he was an Indian citizen and that there was no visa issue concerning him.
The allegations could not be independently verified from the information provided in the report.
YouTuber Recounts Earlier Detention By Delhi Police
Rathee was detained by Delhi Police ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Following his release, he described the incident as “kidnapping”.
The video released on Sunday, Rathee said people in uniform were seen taking him from his house in Gurugram and transporting him between police stations. He also said his phone was confiscated from him and he was not able to reach his lawyer while he was being detained for about 22 to 23 hours.
His latest allegations follow increased security in the national capital as opposition leaders are set to march to the Supreme Court on their demands relating to Electoral Rolls and the Election Commissioner.
Delhi On High Alert Ahead Of Opposition Protest
Delhi remained on high alert for the third consecutive day on Monday, with more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed across the city, according to the report.
Security measures included restrictions at six Delhi Metro stations, whose entry and exit gates were scheduled to remain closed until 4 pm. Authorities also tightened security at Delhi’s borders, railway stations, bus terminals and other sensitive locations to prevent unauthorised gatherings and maintain law and order.
The INDIA bloc’s protest comes after it failed to get an appointment with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The CJI had rejected Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge’s request for an appointment to discuss their concerns over alleged electoral irregularities, given that related issues were already before the Supreme Court, sources said.
The planned march and Rathee’s allegations have unfolded against the backdrop of escalating political tensions over the SIR exercise and the Opposition’s campaign against alleged “vote chori”.