Court Issues Fresh Warrants Against Dhruv Rathee in 2018 Defamation Case – Full Details
A Delhi court has issued fresh bailable warrants against popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in connection with an eight-year-old criminal defamation case. The latest development has brought renewed attention to a legal dispute that began in 2018 over a controversial video published on Rathee’s YouTube channel.
The case was filed by Vikas Sanskrityayan, also known as Vikas Pandey, over allegations made in a video titled BJP IT Cell Part II. The complainant claimed that certain statements in the video damaged his reputation.
The fresh warrants were issued by Judicial Magistrate First Class Rahul Jain at Delhi’s Saket Court on October 31, 2026. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for November 23, 2026.
What Is the 2018 Defamation Case Against Dhruv Rathee?
The controversy started in May 2018 when Dhruv Rathee uploaded a video titled BJP IT Cell Part II on his YouTube channel.
In the video, Rathee allegedly claimed that members of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Information Technology (IT) Cell had attempted to bribe Vikas Pandey to defame him.
Vikas Pandey, who is associated with the BJP IT Cell, objected to these allegations and approached the court by filing a criminal defamation complaint against the YouTuber.
According to the complainant, the statements made in the video were false and negatively affected his personal and professional reputation.
The complaint resulted in legal proceedings against Rathee, and the matter has continued for several years.
Why Has the Court Issued Fresh Bailable Warrants?
The latest development follows repeated attempts to ensure Dhruv Rathee’s appearance before the court.
The court had initially summoned Rathee on July 23, 2019. However, the legal proceedings experienced delays because of difficulties in serving summons and ensuring his presence.
On October 12, 2026, Judicial Magistrate Rahul Jain directed that fresh summons be issued to Rathee at an address in Sector 56, Gurugram, Haryana.
During the proceedings, the complainant’s lawyer, Samaksh Sharma, informed the court that Rathee ordinarily resided abroad but had reportedly visited India for the Cockroach Janata Party protests in Delhi.
On October 17, the court issued bailable warrants after a process server reported that Rathee’s residence was locked during an attempt to serve the notice.
On October 31, the court issued fresh bailable warrants as the process of securing his appearance continued.
What Is the Connection With Arvind Kejriwal?
The 2018 controversy also involved former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
After Dhruv Rathee uploaded the controversial video, Kejriwal shared it on social media by retweeting it. This brought additional attention to the allegations and increased the political significance of the dispute.
Vikas Pandey subsequently initiated defamation proceedings against both Dhruv Rathee and Arvind Kejriwal.
Kejriwal later tendered an apology before the Supreme Court over sharing the video. However, the legal proceedings against Rathee continued.
Where Does Dhruv Rathee Currently Reside?
During the court proceedings, the complainant’s lawyer submitted that Dhruv Rathee ordinarily resides outside India.
His residence abroad became relevant because the court faced difficulties in serving legal notices and summons.
The complainant’s side informed the court about a Gurugram address in Sector 56, Haryana, where Rathee could potentially be served.
The court subsequently directed that fresh summons be issued at the address to facilitate the legal process.
What Happens Next in the Defamation Case?
The fresh bailable warrants represent another development in the long-running legal dispute.
The court will continue examining the matter and the steps required to secure Rathee’s appearance.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 23, 2026.
It is important to note that the issuance of bailable warrants does not mean Dhruv Rathee has been convicted. The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings, and no final verdict has been announced in the case.
Dhruv Rathee Defamation Case: Important Timeline
| Date | Major Development |
|---|---|
| May 2018 | Dhruv Rathee uploads BJP IT Cell Part II video |
| July 23, 2019 | Court initially summons Rathee |
| October 12, 2026 | Fresh summons ordered |
| October 17, 2026 | Bailable warrants issued |
| October 31, 2026 | Fresh bailable warrants issued |
| November 23, 2026 | Next hearing scheduled |
Conclusion
The Delhi court’s decision to issue fresh bailable warrants against Dhruv Rathee has brought the 2018 defamation case back into the spotlight.
The dispute began with allegations made in a YouTube video about the BJP IT Cell and a complaint filed by Vikas Pandey, who claimed that the statements damaged his reputation.
After several years of legal proceedings and difficulties in serving court notices, the matter continues to move forward.
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The next hearing on November 23, 2026, will be important for the progress of the case. The final outcome will depend on the evidence and arguments considered by the court.
