The latest order follows similar warrants issued on against Dhruv Rathee on October 17 after a process server reported that Rathee’s residence was locked during an attempt to serve notice. The detailed order is awaited.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, October 31, 2026: A Delhi court on Saturday issued fresh bailable warrants against YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in a defamation case filed in 2018 over a video published on his YouTube channel.
Judicial Magistrate Rahul Jain passed the order in the complaint filed by Vikas Sanskrityayan, also known as Vikas Pandey, who has accused Rathee of making defamatory allegations against him in the video. The detailed order is awaited.
The latest warrants follow a similar order passed by the same court on October 17. At the time, the court had issued bailable warrants after a process server reported that Rathee’s residence was found locked during an attempt to serve him notice in the case.
The repeated issuance of warrants indicates that the court is seeking to secure Rathee’s appearance so that the proceedings can move forward. A bailable warrant requires the person named in it to appear before the court, while allowing release on furnishing the prescribed bond or surety. It is distinct from a non-bailable warrant, which carries stricter conditions.
The complaint dates back to 2018 and concerns a video in which Rathee allegedly made statements that Pandey considers defamatory. The case has remained pending for several years, bringing the YouTuber back into the legal spotlight over content published on his digital platform.
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Defamation proceedings in India can involve both civil and criminal remedies. In criminal defamation cases, the complainant must establish that the allegedly defamatory material falls within the scope of the law and does not qualify for any applicable exception. The issuance of a warrant is a procedural step to ensure the accused’s presence; it does not amount to a finding of guilt.
Rathee, who has a substantial following on YouTube and is known for videos examining politics, public policy and current affairs, has frequently attracted public debate over his commentary. The latest court action is likely to draw attention because the complaint concerns material published years ago and has continued through the judicial process.
The court’s detailed order is expected to clarify the circumstances behind the fresh warrants and the next steps in the proceedings. Rathee may appear before the magistrate and seek bail in accordance with the court’s directions, or pursue any appropriate legal remedy.
As of Saturday, neither Rathee nor his legal representatives had made a public statement on the latest order. The court proceedings will determine how the complaint progresses and whether the accused appears in response to the warrants.
