Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Join Ankita Bhandari's Parents at India Gate
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra join Ankita Bhandari's parents at India Gate to protest the appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim Governor.
In a significant show of political solidarity, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the grieving parents of the late Ankita Bhandari during a sit-in protest near India Gate in New Delhi on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The protest is aimed at challenging the recent appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim, an appointment made on October 12. The family of the 19-year-old victim is demanding that the appointment be halted until the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into her 2022 murder is fully resolved.
The Fight for Justice and Constitutional Concerns
Ankita Bhandari’s parents, Virendra Singh Bhandari and Soni Devi, have formally appealed to President Droupadi Murmu. They are urging the President to intervene and stop Gautam's appointment, citing fears that his new constitutional role could provide him with legal immunity or a "shield" that might obstruct the criminal justice process.
The family and various activists have alleged a 'VIP angle' connecting Gautam to the case. While Gautam has denied these allegations and has initiated defamation proceedings, the protestors remain adamant that his elevation to Governor could hinder the investigation into the murder of the former resort receptionist.
Demands and Potential Escalation
During the demonstration, Soni Devi expressed her profound distress over the political developments. The family has requested a formal meeting with President Murmu to voice their concerns directly. They have also issued a stern warning: if their demands are not met, they will escalate their protest by launching a hunger strike outside the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office in Dehradun.
The protest saw the presence of several high-profile Congress leaders, including:
- Imran Partapgarhi
- Pawan Khera
- Udey Bhanu Chib
Background of the Ankita Bhandari Case
The case dates back to September 2022, when Ankita Bhandari, who worked as a receptionist at a resort, was murdered. Her body was later recovered from the Chilla canal, sparking massive public outcry. In May 2025, the resort owner, Pulkit Arya, along with two accomplices, were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime.
The Uttarakhand Congress has thrown its full support behind the family, continuing to oppose Gautam's constitutional appointment amidst the ongoing CBI investigation.
Security Measures at India Gate
As the protest unfolded at the high-security India Gate area, local police implemented prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to manage the gathering and maintain order in the capital.