Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met Ankita Bhandari’s parents at India Gate in New Delhi on Wednesday as the family protested the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim governor.
The family has sought President Droupadi Murmu’s intervention in relation to the appointment of Gautam as Sikkim governor, requesting that his appointment be set aside until the CBI completes its investigation into the alleged VIP angle of the 2022 murder case.
Congress leaders Imran Partapgarhi, Pawan Khera and Udey Bhanu Chib were present at the gathering. Police personnel at the venue said that prohibitory orders were in place under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Ankita’s parents seek President’s intervention
Ankita’s father, Virendra Singh Bhandari, asked the President not to appoint Gautam as Sikkim governor until the investigation into the murder of his daughter was completed. He accused an unknown VIP of playing a major role in his daughter’s murder and accused Gautam of being involved in the case.
“We earnestly request the Honourable President not to appoint Dushyant Kumar as governor until the CBI investigation is concluded,” he said.
Ankita’s mother Soni Devi said the family was devastated to learn on October 12 that Gautam had been named governor of Sikkim. Appealing directly to President Murmu, she called for the appointment process to be suspended until the investigation was over.
Soni Devi broke down while sitting on the pavement near India Gate as she made her appeal. The family said it sought an appointment with the President to present its concerns.
The parents warned that they would start a hunger strike outside the Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Office at the Secretariat in Dehradun if their demand was not addressed.
Controversy of alleged VIP angle
Ankita’s case revolves around allegations of an unknown VIP’s involvement in the murder.
Vanantra Resort receptionist Ankita, 19, was murdered on September 18, 2022. Her body was recovered from the Chilla canal four days later.
Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, and two accomplices were found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, Ankita’s family and activists say there should be a full investigation into the alleged VIP angle. Gautam’s name has appeared in allegations related to this aspect of the case.
The allegations against Gautam have yet to be proven. He has denied them and taken defamation proceedings against those making the allegations.
Congress questions Gautam’s appointment
Uttarakhand Congress has strongly opposed Gautam’s proposed appointment as governor of Sikkim, arguing that the allegations surrounding the Ankita Bhandari case should be investigated before he assumes the constitutional office.
The party has alleged that the allegations of criminal negligence against Gautam’s appointment could shield him from accountability. It has also raised concerns about the legal implications of a governor facing criminal proceedings while holding office.
Gautam, former national general secretary of the BJP, previously served as the party’s in-charge for Uttarakhand. His appointment as Sikkim governor was announced on Monday.
The family has requested that the CBI complete its investigation into the alleged VIP angle of Ankita Bhandari’s murder before her appointment.