{
  "id": 13694927,
  "title": "‘I was kidnapped, not detained’: Dhruv Rathee recounts 23-hour ordeal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/i-was-kidnapped-not-detained-dhruv-rathee-recounts-23-hour-ordeal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T10:20:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/i-was-kidnapped-not-detained-dhruv-rathee-recounts-23-hour-ordeal-1.500706411"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai: YouTuber and political activist Dhruv Rathee claims he was \"kidnapped\" from his home in Gurugram and held in police custody for 23 hours without access to his lawyer. Rathee was released late Saturday night, but claimed he remained under \"unofficial house arrest\" with his movements closely monitored. In a video posted on X, Rathee detailed how men forced their way into his bedroom and dragged him out before he could react, alleging injuries from the ordeal. He accused the authorities of attempting to silence political dissent and compared the treatment to India's Emergency and practices in North Korea. Rathee, a critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, also denied claims about his nationality, displaying his Indian passport to reject suggestions he held a foreign passport and was ineligible to participate in protests. Police warned Rathee he could face further action if he attempted to join the protest at Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders.",
  "summary": "Dubai : YouTuber and political activist Dhruv Rathee, who was detained by Delhi Police ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, has alleged that he was “kidnapped” from his home, physically assaulted and denied access to his lawyer during nearly 23 hours in police custody. Rathee was released late on Saturday night, according to a police officer, but…",
  "key_points": [
    "Dhruv Rathee claims kidnapping from Gurugram home",
    "Held 23 hours in police custody without lawyer",
    "Accuses authorities of silencing political dissent"
  ],
  "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."
}