Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the parents of Ankita Bhandari at India Gate in New Delhi on Wednesday as they protested against the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim Governor.
The parents of the 19-year-old, who was murdered in Uttarakhand in 2022, have demanded that Gautam’s appointment be put on hold until the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case is completed.
Gautam was appointed Sikkim Governor on Monday. His name has repeatedly been raised by Ankita’s family and activists in connection with the alleged VIP angle in the murder case. However, the allegations against him remain unproven. Gautam has denied the accusations and initiated defamation proceedings against those who have accused him.
Ankita Bhandari’s Parents Appeal To President To Halt Appointment
Ankita’s mother, Soni Devi, broke down while sitting on the pavement near India Gate and appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene.
“We were deeply pained when we heard the news on the 12th that he (BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam) has now been named Governor. I appeal to the Honourable President, who is herself a woman and will surely understand my sentiments, to halt the move to appoint this individual as Governor until the CBI investigation against him is concluded,” she told ANI.
Her father, Virendra Singh Bhandari, also urged the President not to proceed with the appointment before the investigation is completed.
“Dushyant Kumar should be behind bars... I earnestly request the Honourable President not to appoint Dushyant Kumar as Governor until the CBI investigation is concluded,” he said.
The family has alleged that a VIP played a significant role in their daughter’s murder and has repeatedly demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged connection. The allegations against Gautam have not been established in court.
Parents Threaten Hunger Strike If Demand Is Not Met
Ankita's parents said that they had requested an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu to voice their concerns. They had further warned that they would go on a hunger strike outside the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's office at the Secretariat in Dehradun if their demand was not fulfilled, PTI reported.
The protest comes amid growing political opposition to Gautam’s appointment, with the Uttarakhand Congress also questioning the decision and demanding that the investigation be completed.
Congress leaders have alleged that the appointment could shield Gautam from legal proceedings. These claims are part of the political dispute surrounding the case and have not been established as facts.
What Is The Ankita Bhandari Murder Case?
Ankita Bhandari was the receptionist of the Vanantra Resort in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. She was murdered on 18 September 2022. The body of the deceased was recovered from the Chilla canal after four days.
Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP minister Vinod Arya, and his two accomplices were held guilty and sent to jail for life.
The case drew widespread attention amid allegations that an unidentified VIP was linked to the crime. Ankita’s family and activists have continued to demand an investigation into this alleged angle.
The CBI is now investigating the case following a recommendation by the Uttarakhand government. The family has called for the investigation to be completed before Gautam’s appointment proceeds.