Dhruv Rathee's 2018 defamation case: Delhi court issues fresh bailable warrants

A Delhi court on Saturday issued fresh bailable warrants against YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in a defamation case dating back to 2018. The complaint was filed by Vikas Sanskrityayan, also known as Vikas Pandey, over a video uploaded by Rathee on his YouTube channel.

Judicial Magistrate Rahul Jain issued the warrants on October 31. The detailed order is awaited.

The latest development follows an earlier order passed on October 17, when the court issued bailable warrants after a process server reported that Rathee's residence was locked while attempting to serve him a notice. The court also directed that fresh summons be sent to his address in Gurugram, Haryana.

Why has the court issued fresh warrants?

During the proceedings, advocate Samaksh Sharma, appearing for Pandey, told the court that Rathee ordinarily resides in Austria and had travelled to India to participate in the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests in Delhi.

The court had also recorded that Rathee was first summoned in the matter in July 2019. The complaint, filed by Pandey in 2018, concerns allegations of defamation arising from a video Rathee had posted about him.

Rathee announces London protest after leaving India

The fresh warrants come amid Rathee's recent political activities. After participating in the CJP protests in India, the YouTuber left the country and announced a demonstration in London over alleged 'vote chori'.

In a post on X on October 17, Rathee said he had reached London and asked supporters to join a protest outside Parliament Square, near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

“I’ve just reached London. It’s time the world sees the reality of vote chor and murderer of democracy. International danka bajane ka time aa gaya hai. Join the protest tomorrow in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in parliament square at 12pm if you’re here. Jai Hind,” Rathee’s X post read.

The demonstration was announced for noon, with Rathee urging people in the British capital to participate.

The defamation proceedings against him stem from the complaint filed by Pandey in 2018.