BREAKING| Saket Court Issues Fresh Dasti Summons To Dhruv Rathee In 2018 Defamation Case
In the criminal defamation complaint Vikas Sankrityayan filed in 2018 over Rathee's "BJP IT Cell Part 2" video, a Delhi Court recorded that the Dhruv Rathee had been summoned as far back as July 2019 without service being effected
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, against whom a Saket court issued fresh and dasti summons on October 12, 2026 in a criminal defamation complaint filed by Vikas Sankrityayan over the "BJP IT Cell Part 2" video
A Delhi Court on Wednesday issued fresh summons to YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, along with dasti summons, in a criminal defamation complaint pending at Saket since 2018, after recording that the complainant had been trying to serve him ever since he was first summoned in July 2019.
The order was passed by Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Rahul Jain of Saket Courts, in the complaint filed by Vikas Sankrityayan, also known as Vikas Pandey. The complaint concerns Rathee's video titled "BJP IT Cell Part 2".
The matter will next be taken up on October 17.
The application was moved by Advocate Samaksh Sharma, appearing for the complainant. As recorded in the order, he sought preponement of the matter "on the ground that the accused no. 1 (Dhruv Rathee) ordinary resides in Austria and is presently in India with respect to CJP Protest."
He also sought fresh summons "so that prompt steps for service can be taken as he submits that the service of summons upon the accused has remained delayed for last several years due to the fact the accused resides in Austria."
After hearing the submissions and perused the record, the Court observed, "From the available record, it is clear that the complainant has been trying to served the accused no. 1 since last several years as the accused was initially summoned vide order dated 23.07.2019."
Counsel informed the Court that he had "information that accused no.1 is residing at the address" in Sector 56, Gurugram, Haryana. Acting on that submission, the Court directed, "In view of the submissions of the counsel for the complainant, let fresh summons be issued to accused no. 1 at the address mentioned above. PF be filed within two days from today."
The Court also directed that "Ahlmad is directed to issue the process on daily basis."
During the same hearing, the complainant's counsel requested dasti summons, that is, summons handed over to the party for service rather than left solely to the court's ordinary process.
The Court recorded, "At this stage, Ld. counsel for the complainant has requested for dasti summons. Heard. Allowed. Issue dasti summons as per law. The complainant is at liberty to accompany the process server. Be put up for 17.10.2026."
The summons issued the same day, addressed to "Dhruv Rathee" at the Gurugram address, requires him to appear before the Court on October 17, 2026.
It reads as :"You are to appear before this Court on 17.10.2026 … in person (or through counsel, as the case may be). Let there be no default in complying with this order."
According to the complainant's side, the summons has since been served on Rathee at his residence.
The October 12 order itself records only that fresh and dasti summons were issued. Whether service has been effected will be a matter for the Court to note from the process server's report when the case is taken up on October 17.
Kejriwal's apology for retweet did not end proceedings against Rathee
The complaint is the same one in which former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had retweeted the "BJP IT Cell Part 2" video, tendered an apology before the Supreme Court in February 2024, for doing so. The proceedings against Rathee, as the original creator of the video, continued thereafter at the magistrate's court, where the question of service on him has now come to the fore.
The case is listed for further hearing on October 17.
Case Title: Vikas Sankrityayan @ Vikas Pandey v. Dhruv Rathee & Ors
Bench: Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Rahul Jain
Order Date: October 12, 2026