Delhi Police Detain Ankita Bhandari's Parents and Congress Leaders
Chaos at India Gate as Delhi Police detain Ankita Bhandari's parents and Congress leaders during a midnight protest against the appointment of Dushyant Gautam.
In a high-voltage confrontation at the heart of the national capital, the Delhi Police detained the grieving parents of the late Ankita Bhandari along with several prominent Congress leaders during a midnight sit-in protest at India Gate.
The crackdown, which reportedly occurred around 4:00 AM on Thursday, has ignited a political firestorm. The protesters were staging a peaceful demonstration to demand justice for Ankita Bhandari and to voice their vehement opposition to the recent appointment of Dushyant Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim.
Midnight Crackdown at India Gate
The atmosphere at India Gate turned volatile as police personnel moved in to disperse the crowd and take protesters into custody. Congress leaders present at the scene alleged that the police used excessive force and manhandled demonstrators, including women and Members of Parliament.
“The police are detaining women protesters. The way they are manhandling MPs while detaining them is extremely shameful,” a protester stated, emphasizing the emotional toll on the family. The detentions have raised serious questions regarding the timing of the police action, with allegations that women were being picked up in the early hours of the morning.
Congress Slams 'Brutality' and Political Appointments
The Congress party has launched a scathing attack on the authorities, accusing the government of prioritizing political appointments over justice. Congress MP Pawan Khera described the scene as the "end of democracy," highlighting a perceived double standard in how the law is applied.
“This is barbarity. The one who has been accused will become the governor, and Ankita's parents will go to jail? We are protesting against rapists, so we will go to jail, and the one who has been accused of rape will become the governor—this is democracy,” Khera remarked, referring to the allegations surrounding Dushyant Gautam.
Supriya Shrinate, another senior Congress leader, condemned the "ruthless" treatment of the parents, noting that they have been fighting for justice for four long years. She questioned why the government is appointing an individual facing serious allegations to a constitutional post while treating the victim's family with such harshness.
Demands for Investigation into 'VIP Angle'
The protest was fueled by growing concerns regarding a potential "VIP angle" in the Ankita Bhandari case. The protesters are demanding an immediate halt to Dushyant Gautam's posting as Governor of Sikkim until a thorough central investigation is completed.
Qazi Nizamuddin, AICC in-charge of Delhi Pradesh Congress, stated that the family’s morale had been bolstered by visits from senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. He insisted that the struggle would not end until accountability is met.
“The police should have arrested Dushyant Gautam. Today, with Rashtrapati Bhavan in front of us... Ankita Bhandari’s parents are being forcibly detained. Uttarakhand will never tolerate this,” Nizamuddin said, adding that the party would continue its campaign for justice regardless of the detentions.
A Family's Long Battle for Justice
The protest follows a visit from Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who met with the family to express solidarity. The parents, led by Virendra Singh Bhandari, have remained steadfast in their demand for legal accountability, specifically targeting the political connections that they believe are shielding the accused from the consequences of the crime.