“People of Uttarakhand will not tolerate this injustice”: Kumari Selja Slams BJP over Ankita Bhandari Case
Congress leader Kumari Selja questions the CBI's delay in the Ankita Bhandari murder case and slams the BJP over a controversial VIP appointment.
The Ankita Bhandari murder case has once again ignited a political firestorm in Uttarakhand. Congress MP and AICC in-charge for the state, Kumari Selja, has launched a scathing attack on the BJP government, questioning the prolonged silence and delayed action of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the high-profile case.
Congress Launches State-Wide Protests
Taking to social media, Kumari Selja revealed that the Congress party has organized candle marches across the length and breadth of Uttarakhand. These protests are aimed at demanding justice not only for Ankita Bhandari but for all women in the state who have allegedly faced systemic injustice.
Selja emphasized that the party is actively engaging with the public and vowed that the struggle would persist until the victims receive full justice. She asserted that a "wave of change" is sweeping through the state and that the Congress's fight will continue from the streets to the legislative halls.
The 'VIP' Controversy and Dushyant Gautam
A central point of contention in Selja's critique is the alleged shielding of a "VIP" involved in the case. She expressed shock and outrage over the appointment of Dushyant Gautam, the former BJP Uttarakhand in-charge, as the Governor of Sikkim.
Selja alleged that the name of the individual in question had surfaced in conversations among BJP members themselves. She questioned how someone linked to such a controversy could be appointed to a prestigious constitutional post, stating that this decision has sparked widespread anger among the people of Uttarakhand.
Questioning the CBI's Timing
The Congress leader raised serious questions regarding the timing of the CBI's recent activity. She pointed out a suspicious pattern: for a long period, the agency seemed stagnant, but suddenly became active only after Ankita's parents staged a protest at India Gate in New Delhi.
"When Ankita's parents sat at India Gate demanding justice and Shri Rahul Gandhi ji reached out to support them, why did the CBI suddenly show activity? Why was no action taken for so long?" Selja questioned.
Background of the Case
The tragedy dates back to September 2022, when Ankita Bhandari, a receptionist at a resort near Rishikesh, was murdered. Her body was recovered from the Chilla Canal on September 24, 2022.
The investigation led to the arrest of resort owner Pulkit Arya—son of expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya—along with two staff members, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta. On May 30, 2025, Additional District Judge Reena Negi in Kotdwar sentenced the three to life imprisonment for murder and the destruction of evidence.
The Unresolved 'VIP' Angle
Despite the convictions, the case remains open in the eyes of the victim's family. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) had previously referred to a "VIP" in connection with a room at the resort. While the police maintained that the existing convictions were based on solid evidence, Ankita's parents have consistently demanded the disclosure of the VIP's identity.
The family has expressed deep concerns that influential figures were shielded during the probe, and they have strongly objected to the appointment of any individual whose name allegedly surfaced during the investigation to a constitutional office.
Adding to the momentum of the protests, members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) also held a candle march in the national capital recently, echoing the demand for complete transparency and justice in the case.