A pre-dawn police operation disrupted a protest at India Gate on Thursday, where demonstrators were demanding justice for Ankita Bhandari, a murder victim from Uttarakhand. The Delhi Police detained her parents, Congress leaders, and other participants around 4 am, leading to widespread criticism of the police’s handling of the situation. All those detained were subsequently released, but the Congress party accused law enforcement of using excessive force against the protesters.

The protest was primarily aimed at halting the appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim until the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) completed its ongoing inquiry into Ankita’s murder. The police, accompanied by personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), moved in on the demonstrators in the early hours, leading to the removal of several prominent Congress leaders, including Supriya Shrinate, Uday Bhanu Chib, Vinod Jakhar, and Varun Chaudhary.

Background on Ankita Bhandari’s Case

Ankita Bhandari, aged 19, was working as a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh when she was murdered on September 18, 2022. The case has drawn significant attention, particularly due to allegations regarding the involvement of unidentified influential individuals. The resort’s owner, Pulkit Arya, who is the son of expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya, along with two staff members, were sentenced to life imprisonment on May 30, 2025, for their roles in the crime.

The family of Ankita, along with various activists, called for a sit-in to demand a thorough investigation into the case, particularly focusing on any potential links to Dushyant Kumar Gautam. The protesters expressed their belief that Gautam’s appointment could obstruct justice in the ongoing investigation.

Congress leaders have been vocal in their condemnation of the police’s actions during the protest. Supriya Shrinate, Pawan Khera, and Kazi Nizamuddin have all publicly denounced what they termed as police brutality. Khera stated, “This is brutality. You can see democracy coming to an end at India Gate,” highlighting the perceived erosion of democratic rights in the face of police intervention.

Political Reactions and Support for Ankita’s Family

In a show of solidarity, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the protest site earlier on Wednesday to meet with Ankita’s parents. They expressed their support for the family’s demand for justice and reiterated the need for a comprehensive investigation into the murder case. This high-profile visit has further amplified the call for accountability and transparency in the ongoing inquiry.

Ankita’s father, Virendra Singh Bhandari, has also taken his appeal to the highest levels of government. He urged President Droupadi Murmu not to proceed with Dushyant Gautam’s appointment until the CBI inquiry is concluded. This request underscores the family’s determination to ensure that justice is served and that any potential influence from political figures does not hinder the investigation.

The situation remains tense as the protests continue, with demonstrators vowing to keep the pressure on authorities until their demands are met. The controversy surrounding Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim Governor is likely to persist as the investigation into Ankita Bhandari’s murder unfolds.

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