Archive · 6 Jan 2026
BJP Leader Sues Over Ankita Murder Links
A big political fight is happening over a murder case from 2022.
A young woman named Ankita Bhandari was killed, and the people who did it were already found guilty and sent to jail for life.
Now, some people are saying that a very important person in the BJP might have been involved in the crime.
The BJP leader named Dushyant Gautam says these claims are not true and are being made to hurt his reputation.
He has filed a lawsuit against the people making these claims, asking for a lot of money as compensation.
The BJP says they are open to a special investigation if there is strong proof, but they believe the opposition is just trying to make trouble for the upcoming elections.
Gautam also says he was not in the state when the murder happened and that some people are trying to frame him.
BJP leader Dushyant Gautam files defamation case over Ankita Bhandari murder case links.
Gautam seeks Rs 2 crore in damages from Congress, AAP, and others.
Allegations link Gautam to the 2022 murder, which he denies as politically motivated.
Original case involved rape and murder of Ankita Bhandari at a Rishikesh resort.
BJP dismisses new allegations, with Gautam threatening legal action for defamation.
- Who
- BJP's Dushyant Gautam, Congress, AAP, and other individuals
- What
- Defamation case over Ankita Bhandari murder case links
- When
- January 10, 2024 (hearing)
- Where
- Delhi High Court, India
- Why
- Allegations linking Gautam to the murder case
Opposition Parties
BJP and Dushyant Gautam
Involvement in the Murder
Opposition Parties
Allegations that a 'VIP' named 'Gattu' was involved in the murder, identified as Dushyant Gautam.
BJP and Dushyant Gautam
Dushyant Gautam denies any involvement and claims he was not in Uttarakhand during the murder.
Defamation and Conspiracy
Opposition Parties
Opposition parties demand a CBI probe and accuse Gautam of involvement.
BJP and Dushyant Gautam
Gautam accuses opposition parties of conspiring against him and files a defamation case.
- Case
- Ankita Bhandari murder case
- Year
- 2022
- Victim
- Ankita Bhandari (19-year-old receptionist)
- Current Status
- All accused convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment
- BJP Stance
- Denies allegations, seeks defamation damages
- Opposition Accusations
- Allegations of VIP involvement and evidence tampering
- Court's Decision
- Rejected CBI probe and VIP involvement claims
- Defamation Case
- BJP's Dushyant Gautam sues Congress, AAP, and others
- Damages Sought
- Rs 2 crore
- Alleged Conspiracy
- Gautam accuses Suresh Rathore and Urmila Sanawar of conspiring against him
- Gautam's Alibi
- Not in Uttarakhand between September 10 and 20, 2022
Sources
BJP leader says ready for CBI probe into Ankita murder case if new evidence comes up
‘VIP’ allegations in Ankita Bhandari murder: BJP’s Dushyant Gautam files defamation case against ex-MLA’s wife, Congress
Ankita Bhandari murder: Delhi court to hear defamation case by BJP's Dushyant Kumar Gautam tomorrow
‘Doesn’t it look like conspiracy to you?’: Uttarakhand CM Dhami suggests Ankita Bhandari protests meant to hinder his work, promises no one will be shielded
Ankita Bhandari murder: Congress seeks CBI probe, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami says will speak to parents
Uttarakhand govt ready for any probe in Ankita Bhandari case, says Dhami
Uttarakhand govt ready for any probe in Ankita Bhandari case: Dhami