Dhruv Rathee released after detention ahead of CJP protest

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has been released following his detention in Gurugram ahead of a CJP protest in Delhi. A police spokesperson told The Hindu that no charges were pressed.

His release was reported on October 11. The Indian Express also reported that Gurugram police let him go in the early hours of Sunday. The detention came amid preparations for protests demanding the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.

CJP representatives also announced the release of Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The movement’s legal head, Ratna Singh, said an executive magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station authorised their release after nearly 24 hours in detention following their arrival in the capital.

Delhi police sources cited by The Hindu said about two and a half thousand protesters were detained in the capital on October 10, in addition to approximately one thousand people picked up during preventive operations beforehand. The releases do not establish that everyone detained has been freed.