Delhi Court Issues Bailable Warrant Against YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in 2018 Defamation Case

A Delhi court has issued a bailable warrant against popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in connection with a defamation case that dates back to 2018. The case, filed by Vikas Sankrityayan, also known as Vikas Pandey, stems from a video Rathee posted in May 2018, in which he accused Pandey of being bribed by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s publicity wing to tarnish his reputation.

The situation escalated when then-Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal shared Rathee’s video on social media, amplifying the claims made by the YouTuber. The legal proceedings took a turn when the court learned that attempts to serve summons to Rathee were unsuccessful, as his residence was reportedly found locked earlier this week.

On October 12, after Pandey requested an expedited hearing of the case, the Judicial Magistrate Rahul Jain of Saket Court issued a summons to Rathee. This request was motivated by the fact that Rathee, who usually resides abroad, was currently in India participating in protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the ongoing revision of electoral rolls.

The next hearing is scheduled for October 31, as the court continues to navigate the complexities of this prolonged legal battle. Notably, prior to the issuance of the warrant, Rathee had been detained by Delhi Police on October 10 while he was in Gurugram to participate in protests demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

This incident highlights the intersection of social media influence and politics in India, as public figures navigate the legal repercussions of their online activities. As the case unfolds, it raises questions about freedom of speech, defamation laws, and the responsibilities of public personalities in the digital age.

Source: scroll.in