News Desk: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday criticised the Narendra Modi government after the parents of Ankita Bhandari were reportedly detained by police at around 4 am while protesting near India Gate in New Delhi. The couple were demanding that the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Gautam as Sikkim governor be put on hold until the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) completes its investigation into their daughter’s murder.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi accused the government of attempting to silence the voices of victims and those seeking answers.
“This is the hallmark of this government: silence the voices of the victims, remove those who ask questions,” he said, adding that the fight for justice would not be stopped.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said Ankita’s parents had been sitting peacefully to seek justice for their daughter and to demand a thorough investigation into the case.
Why are Ankita’s parents protesting?
Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist at the Vanantra resort in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal district, went missing on September 18, 2022, just weeks after joining the job. Her body was recovered from a canal several days later, triggering widespread protests across the state.
Three men, including resort owner Pulkit Arya, were subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the case.
However, Ankita’s family has continued to demand an investigation into the alleged involvement of a “VIP” mentioned during the controversy. The issue gained renewed attention after a video released by Urmila Sanawar, the wife of former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore, claimed that a person nicknamed “Gattu” was the VIP. She identified the person as Dushyant Gautam.
Gautam has denied any connection to the case. The Delhi High Court has also directed the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party to remove social media posts linking him to Ankita’s death.
CBI investigation underway
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recommended a CBI inquiry on January 9, 2026. The agency received the Special Investigation Team’s report, the FIR and other relevant records on February 4 and registered a case against an unidentified VIP.
The CBI has not named anyone in connection with the alleged VIP angle.
Following Gautam’s appointment as governor on Monday, the family intensified its demand for the investigation to be completed. Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal also announced a one-hour silent protest in Dehradun.
Rahul Gandhi said the Congress would continue supporting Ankita’s family until they receive justice. The controversy has once again brought attention to the family’s long-standing demand for answers and the ongoing investigation into the case.
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