Story perspectives

Delhi Police detain Dhruv Rathee, deny foreign passport rumors

By Drooid · Oct 11, 2026, 10:04 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Delhi Police Detain Rathee

Delhi Police removed YouTuber Dhruv Rathee from his Gurugram home on October 10, 2026, before a protest.
Around 20 plain-clothes officers entered at 7 am, dragging him out of his bedroom.
He was held in multiple stations for 22–23 hours without phone access or a lawyer.
Rathee displayed his Indian passport in a video, rejecting rumors he holds a foreign passport.

Summary

Bengaluru Commissioner Seeks Verification

Former Bengaluru police commissioner Bhaskar Rao wrote to the Home Ministry to verify Rathee’s citizenship and visa status.
Rao cited the Foreigners Act 1946 and sought details on any Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card Rathee holds.
Rao asked the ministry to examine Rathee’s entry-exit records and prior political activities in India.
Rao urged the ministry to take appropriate legal action if an immigration law breach is confirmed.

History

Historical Context

India launched the Overseas Citizenship of India scheme on 9 January 2006 under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2003, granting diaspora lifelong visa-free entry without voting rights. A 2015 merger turned PIO cards into OCI, a 2019 amendment broadened revocation, prompting 2021 OCI cancellations, and the 2026 Delhi Police raid on YouTuber Dhruv Rathee—using the Foreigners Act and OCI verification—illustrates the scheme; it covers about 4 million people (2022).

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Delhi Police Detain Rathee

Delhi Police removed YouTuber Dhruv Rathee from his Gurugram home on October 10, 2026, before a protest.
Around 20 plain-clothes officers entered at 7 am, dragging him out of his bedroom.
He was held in multiple stations for 22–23 hours without phone access or a lawyer.
Rathee displayed his Indian passport in a video, rejecting rumors he holds a foreign passport.

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