Dimple Yadav Stands With Ankita Bhandari's Parents in Justice Fight
SP MP Dimple Yadav expresses solidarity with Ankita Bhandari's parents amidst protests against Dushyant Gautam's appointment as Sikkim Governor.
In a significant show of political solidarity, Samajwadi Party Member of Parliament Dimple Yadav met with Virendra Singh Bhandari and Soni Devi, the parents of the late Ankita Bhandari, in Delhi on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The meeting comes as the parents continue their grueling battle for justice following the 2022 murder of their 19-year-old daughter in Uttarakhand.
A Promise of Support
During the interaction, Dimple Yadav expressed her deep solidarity with the grieving family. She assured the parents that she would provide all possible support as they navigate the legal and political hurdles in their quest for accountability. The MP took to social media to voice her concerns, sharply criticizing the ruling party's management of the case.
The Controversy Over the Sikkim Governor
The core of the current unrest revolves around the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim. Ankita's parents have alleged a "VIP angle" in their daughter's murder, claiming Gautam's involvement. They are demanding that his appointment to the constitutional post be suspended until the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) completes its probe into the murder.
For his part, Dushyant Kumar Gautam has categorically denied all allegations and has initiated a defamation complaint against the parents.
Chaos at India Gate
The meeting follows a period of intense protests in the national capital. On the morning of October 15, the situation turned volatile at India Gate. Around 4:00 AM, Delhi Police detained the Bhandari parents along with several prominent Congress leaders, including Supriya Shrinate and Pawan Khera. The group was released approximately an hour later.
Political Heavyweights Join the Cause
The family's struggle has garnered attention from several high-profile political figures. A day prior, on October 14, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the protest site to meet with the family and hear their grievances.
Demands for Accountability
The political pressure is mounting not just in Delhi but also in Uttar Pradesh. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has also entered the fray, criticizing the government's stance. He has specifically urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to break his silence on the matter, questioning how an individual facing such serious allegations could be appointed to a prestigious gubernatorial position.