Delhi police briefly detained Ankita Bhandari’s parents and Congress leaders during a protest at India Gate on Wednesday evening, releasing them several hours later. The action followed a visit from Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who met with the family demanding the dismissal of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim governor, amid allegations of his involvement in the 2022 murder case.
Protest and Detentions at India Gate
Ankita Bhandari’s parents, along with Congress party members, were taken into custody by Delhi police on Wednesday night while protesting at India Gate, BBC Marathi reported. They were released in the early hours of Thursday, according to the outlet.
The Demand: Gautam’s Removal as Governor
The core demand of the protest centers on the appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the governor of Sikkim on October 12, Divya Marathi reported. Bhandari’s family and supporters claim Gautam’s alleged involvement in the case warrants his removal from the position.
The 2022 Murder and Allegations of VIP Involvement
Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist at the Vanantara Resort near Rishikesh, was murdered on September 18, 2022, TV9 Marathi reported. Resort owner Pulkit Arya and two employees were convicted of the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment on May 30, 2025. The case gained renewed attention after audio clips surfaced in December 2025 allegedly linking Gautam to a person who had demanded special services from Bhandari, Divya Marathi explained.
Abhijeet Dipke said that This is a shameful matter for all of us. Ankita Bhandari’s parents do not deserve such inhumane treatment,
according to BBC Marathi.
#WATCH | 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, meets Ankita Bhandari’s parents at India Gate in DelhiThey are protesting against the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim pic.twitter.com/bza7qwABP0
Family’s Plea and Political Support
Bhandari’s family has appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to postpone Gautam’s appointment until the CBI investigation is complete, Divya Marathi reported. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi met with the family at India Gate on Wednesday evening, expressing their support. Bhandari’s mother threatened to begin a hunger strike if Gautam’s appointment isn’t revoked, stating, As long as Dushyant Gautam’s appointment is not cancelled, we will sit here. If they don’t let us sit here, we will fast at home,
as reported by Dainik Prabhat.
Ankita Bhandari’s father said that “If justice is not served, we will protest across the country until my daughter receives justice. Our main demand is that Dushyant Gautam’s appointment be cancelled. If this appointment is not cancelled, we will take to the streets across the country again. My daughter must get justice,” according to Dainik Prabhat.
Questions Remain Regarding the “VIP” Connection
The identity of the “VIP” allegedly involved in the case remains a central point of contention. Dainik Prabhat and TV9 Marathi both report that Gautam’s name surfaced in connection with the alleged demands for special treatment. Congress leader Pawan Khera said that In this country, inhumanity is happening. The accused will become governor and Ankita’s parents will go to jail? We are protesting against rape, so we will go to jail and the accused of rape will become governor. Is this democracy?
according to Dainik Prabhat.
As of Thursday, October 15, 2026, the investigation continues, and the family awaits a response to their demands for Gautam’s removal, and for a thorough investigation into the alleged VIP connection.