Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Meet Parents of Murdered Ankita Bhandari

On Wednesday, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited India Gate in New Delhi to express solidarity with the parents of Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old who was murdered in Uttarakhand in September 2022. The meeting coincided with a protest held by Ankita's parents, who are demanding that the recent appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim be suspended until the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into their daughter's murder is completed.

Ankita Bhandari, who worked as a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh, was killed on September 18, 2022, and her body was discovered four days later in the Chilla canal. The case has attracted significant media attention, particularly due to allegations that a VIP may have been involved in the crime. The resort owner, Pulkit Arya, along with two accomplices, has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the murder. However, the alleged VIP connection remains a point of contention, with Gautam's name surfacing in discussions surrounding the case.

During the meeting, Ankita's father, Virendra Singh Bhandari, reiterated their plea to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to refrain from appointing Gautam as Governor until the CBI investigation is finalized. He expressed deep concern over the implications of appointing someone linked to the case, stating, "Dushyant Kumar should be behind bars... I earnestly request the Honorable President not to appoint Dushyant Kumar as Governor until the CBI investigation is concluded." Similarly, Ankita's mother, Soni Devi, echoed these sentiments, appealing to the President to understand their plight as grieving parents.

The appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim Governor has sparked backlash not only from Ankita's family but also from the Uttarakhand Congress, which claims that Gautam's involvement in the case raises serious ethical concerns. The Congress party argues that appointing someone under investigation could shield them from legal repercussions, as a sitting Governor cannot be subjected to criminal proceedings while in office. This situation has intensified calls for accountability and transparency in the ongoing investigation.

Looking ahead, Ankita's parents have indicated their intention to escalate their protest if their demands are not addressed. They have sought a meeting with President Murmu to discuss their concerns directly. Furthermore, they have threatened to initiate a hunger strike outside the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office in Dehradun if necessary. The outcome of the CBI investigation and the political ramifications of Gautam's appointment will likely continue to unfold in the coming weeks, as public pressure mounts for justice in this high-profile case.