YouTuber Gaurav Taneja was taken into custody by the Noida police on Saturday after people in large numbers turned up at the Sector 51 Metro Station to celebrate his birthday, creating a stampede-like situation amid prohibitory orders in Gautam Buddh Nagar. The YouTuber, in a statement, said that he will pursue a legal remedy against the arrest, adding that he had permission to book a metro coach. He added that his fans caused no harm. 

“It is pertinent to mention here that these fans were not violent nor did they raise any objectionable slogans neither harmed any public property. Their exemplary behaviour speaks for the example that Mr. Taneja and Ms. Rathi has been setting for their fans and followers in their videos. Nonetheless, the Noida Police proceeded to register a case under Sections 188 & 341 IPC. As a result of the same, he was briefly detained and then released within a couple of hours. Needless to say, we would be pursuing appropriate legal remedy,” he and his wife, Ritu Rathee, said in the statement. 

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Taneja’s wife and his friends had booked a metro coach under a scheme of the Noida Metro Rail Corporation that allows renting coaches for private celebrations. 

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“Ms. Rathee wanted to give her husband Mr. Taneja a surprise by hosting his birthday party in a four Coach Metro from Sector 51 Metro Station, Noida. The scheme had been widely publicised earlier. It is further stated that permission had been solicited and granted for the same through the proper channels… The fact that our fans look up to us and would congregate in large numbers to celebrate Gaurav’s birthday would suggest that they feel that we are a part of their family. As a matter of fact, we are overwhelmed by their love and affection for us,” the statement added.