Politics · India · 1 hr ago
Rahul Gandhi joins Ankita Bhandari family's protest over Sikkim governor appointment
Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi joined Ankita Bhandari's parents at a sit-in near India Gate in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist, was murdered in Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district in September 2022.
Her family is asking the President to pause Dushyant Kumar Gautam's appointment as Sikkim governor until a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into an alleged VIP role is complete.
Gautam has not been named as an accused, and allegations linking him to the murder remain unproven; he denies them.
The alleged VIP angle gained attention after an audio clip was released, prompting protests and a CBI investigation ordered by Uttarakhand's government in January.
The family wants the investigation to examine all allegations, and has asked President Droupadi Murmu to intervene while the probe continues.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined Ankita Bhandari’s parents at a sit-in near India Gate opposing Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim governor.
The family wants the appointment put on hold until the CBI completes its probe into an alleged VIP angle in Bhandari’s murder.
Delhi Police detained Bhandari’s parents, opposition leaders and other protesters around 4 am after the overnight protest.
Gautam has denied allegations linking him to the murder and has not been named as an accused in the case.
Bhandari was murdered in 2022, and three men were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2025.
- Who
- Ankita Bhandari’s parents, joined by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other protesters. Delhi Police detained the parents and several protesters.
- What
- They protested against Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim governor, calling for it to be put on hold pending a CBI investigation.
- When
- The sit-in took place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, and continued overnight. Police made detentions around 4 am.
- Where
- Near India Gate in New Delhi.
- Why
- The family wants the CBI probe to examine allegations of a VIP role in Bhandari’s murder and says the appointment should wait until the investigation is complete.
Ankita Bhandari’s family and protest supporters
Dushyant Kumar Gautam
Appointment
Ankita Bhandari’s family and protest supporters
The family wants Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim governor put on hold until the CBI probe is complete.
Dushyant Kumar Gautam
Gautam has denied allegations linking him to the murder.
Alleged involvement
Ankita Bhandari’s family and protest supporters
The family seeks an investigation into an alleged VIP role and called for action against Gautam.
Dushyant Kumar Gautam
Gautam has not been named as an accused in the murder case, and the allegations against him remain unproven.
Ankita Bhandari was murdered in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal district.
The Uttarakhand government ordered a CBI probe after protests over an alleged VIP role; the source does not state the year.
Three men were sentenced to life imprisonment for Bhandari’s murder and other charges.
Dushyant Kumar Gautam was appointed Sikkim governor.
Bhandari’s parents and Congress leaders held a sit-in near India Gate.
Delhi Police detained Bhandari’s parents, opposition leaders and other protesters after the overnight protest.
- Protest location
- India Gate, New Delhi
- Appointee
- Dushyant Kumar Gautam
- Investigation
- CBI probe into an alleged VIP angle
- Bhandari’s murder
- September 18, 2022
- Sentencing
- Three men received life imprisonment on May 30, 2025
5 sources
Rahul, Priyanka join parents of Ankita Bhandari at stir in Delhi
Delhi Police detains Ankita Bhandari’s parents, oppn leaders after overnight India Gate protest
Rahul Gandhi joins Ankita Bhandari’s parents at India Gate protest against Dushyant Gautam’s governor appointment
What people are saying
This is brutality. You can see democracy coming to an end at India Gate. It is ending at 4 am
I and the Congress Party stand with them — in their grief as well as in this fight for justice,
Dushyant Kumar should go to jail...because of the VIP my daughter was murdered
We were hurt by the appointment of Kumar as governor. I request the President, who is a woman and will understand my sentiments, to halt the appointment of Kumar as governor,
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चार साल से अंकिता भंडारी के परिवार को इंसाफ नहीं मिला, लेकिन एक ‘VIP’ आरोपी को संरक्षण और संवैधानिक पद का इनाम ज़रूर मिला। जहां बलात्कारियों और हत्यारों का फूल-मालाओं से स्वागत होता है और अपराधियों को सत्ता की ताकत से नवाज़ा जाता है - उस महिला-विरोधी BJP से कोई उम्मीद की भी नहीं
नेता विपक्ष श्री @RahulGandhi और कांग्रेस महासचिव एवं सांसद श्रीमती @priyankagandhi जी ने अंकिता भंडारी के परिवार से इंडिया गेट पर मुलाकात की। साल 2022 में अंकिता भंडारी की हत्या कर दी गई थी। इस मामले में BJP के राष्ट्रीय महासचिव व उत्तराखंड प्रभारी रहे दुष्यंत गौतम पर आरोप लगे