World

Protests Erupt in Delhi Over Appointment Linked to Ankita Bhandari Case

Parents of Ankita Bhandari, a murder victim, stage protests at India Gate demanding justice and questioning a recent political appointment.

16 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Protests Erupt in Delhi Over Appointment Linked to Ankita Bhandari Case — Archive photoPhoto: Nlengay · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The parents of Ankita Bhandari, a murder victim, staged protests at India Gate in New Delhi, claiming a connection to the recent appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim governor. They allege Gautam is the 'VIP' referenced in the case linking him to their daughter's murder in September 2022. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi participated in the protest, expressing solidarity with the parents.

Bhandari worked as a receptionist at Vantara Resort in Uttarakhand, where she was murdered by the resort owner Pulkit Arya and two of his employees. Her body was discovered in a canal four days after she went missing on September 18, 2022. The parents’ protest coincided with growing concerns regarding Gautam's appointment amid unresolved questions related to Bhandari's case.

The protest intensified when Ankita's father issued an ultimatum to the government, demanding the cancellation of Gautam's appointment within 24 hours. Her mother further threatened a hunger strike if their demands were not met. This statement was made during a night of demonstrations, where tensions rose as police action unfolded.

Reports indicate that several Congress leaders, including Pawan Khera and Supriya Shrinate, were detained alongside Bhandari's parents but were subsequently released. These leaders criticized the police's actions, claiming that authorities were targeting those advocating for justice for Ankita Bhandari and questioning the proposed appointment of Gautam.

During the protest, Rahul Gandhi accused the government of attempting to stifle the voices of victims and those who question authority. He emphasized these incidents as indicative of broader issues regarding accountability and justice.

In response to the events, Congress leaders have called for greater scrutiny of the government's motives amid the ongoing protests, highlighting the urgency for justice in Ankita Bhandari's case. The situation remains a focal point of public discourse as the parents and their supporters continue to seek answers.

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