{
  "id": 13062149,
  "title": "‘Serious questions over Dhruv Rathee's citizenship, visa after Bengaluru stir’: Ex-IPS officer writes to home ministry",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/serious-questions-over-dhruv-rathees-citizenship-visa-after-bengaluru",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T07:46:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dhruv-rathee-bengaluru-protest-sir-ex-ips-officer-bhaskar-rao-questions-citizenship-visa-writes-to-home-ministry-101791528610314.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A former Indian Police Service officer has written to the Union home ministry seeking verification of YouTuber Dhruv Rathee's citizenship and visa status after his participation in a protest against the Chief Election Commissioner in Bengaluru. Bhaskar Rao highlighted Rathee's criticism of the Election Commission and alleged zero transparency in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, stating that it raises serious questions about his legal right to participate in the protest. The former IPS officer requested the ministry to verify Rathee's immigration status, passport, visa category, purpose of visit, stay period, and conditions attached to his permission, as well as whether he holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card or any other status that may affect his activities in India. Rao emphasized that the letter was not motivated by disagreement with Rathee's political opinions.",
  "summary": "Former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao said that the letter was “not motivated by any disagreement” with Rathee's political opinions.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao seeks verification of Dhruv Rathee's citizenship and visa status.",
    "Rathee criticized Chief Election Commissioner and alleged lack of transparency in SIR exercise."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}