Ankita Bhandari's Parents and Congress Leaders Detained During India Gate Protest Over Sikkim Governor Appointment
New Delhi, October 15, 2026: Delhi Police detained the parents of Ankita Bhandari and several Congress leaders during an overnight protest at India Gate, where demonstrators demanded justice in the 2022 murder case and called for the appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim Governor to be put on hold.
The detention took place at approximately 4 am on Thursday, following a sit-in organised by Ankita's parents and supporters. The protesters were opposing Gautam's appointment and asking the authorities to wait until the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation investigation into allegations surrounding the case had been completed.
Congress leaders criticised the police action, alleging that the demonstrators had been treated harshly while exercising their right to protest. Ankita's parents reiterated their demand for accountability and said they wanted the investigation to address the questions they had raised.
Reports later confirmed that Ankita's parents were released after being detained. Several Congress leaders and other protesters were also detained and subsequently released.
Why Ankita Bhandari's Family Was Protesting
Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old woman from Uttarakhand, worked as a receptionist at the Vanantra resort near Rishikesh. She was murdered in September 2022, and her death prompted widespread public outrage and demands for a thorough investigation.
Her parents have continued to seek answers about the circumstances surrounding her death. One of their principal concerns is the alleged involvement of a politically influential person, often referred to in public discussion as the VIP angle.
The family has questioned whether all aspects of the case have been investigated adequately. They have demanded that the authorities ensure transparency and address their concerns through the ongoing investigation.
The latest protest was triggered by the appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam, a former BJP leader, as Governor of Sikkim. Ankita's family wants the appointment to be put on hold until the CBI completes its investigation.
The allegations raised by the family should be distinguished from established judicial findings. Gautam has denied involvement in the case and has initiated defamation proceedings against people accusing him. His appointment and the family's demand have become subjects of political controversy, but the allegations against him should not be presented as proven facts.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Join the Protest
The protest attracted senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who met Ankita's parents at India Gate on Wednesday evening.
Rahul Gandhi expressed support for the family's demand and appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to ensure that Gautam's appointment did not proceed until the CBI investigation was completed.
Congress leaders argued that the family deserved answers and that its concerns should be taken seriously by the authorities. They also questioned the decision to appoint Gautam to a constitutional position while allegations connected with the case remained a subject of public debate.
Other Congress leaders who participated in or supported the protest included party spokesperson Pawan Khera, Supriya Shrinate and other party representatives.
The participation of senior opposition leaders brought renewed national attention to the case. It also turned the protest into a wider political debate over accountability, the handling of sensitive investigations and the rights of families seeking justice.
Delhi Police Detain Protesters Early in the Morning
Delhi Police detained Ankita's parents, Congress leaders and other demonstrators during the early hours of October 15. The action followed the overnight sit-in at India Gate.
Congress leaders criticised the police response and alleged that protesters, including women, had been handled roughly. They described the action as an attempt to discourage people from raising questions about the investigation and the governor's appointment.
The police action also raised concerns among opposition leaders about the right to peaceful assembly and the handling of public demonstrations in the national capital.
Authorities can impose restrictions on gatherings for public-order and security reasons, but the circumstances of a particular detention and the manner in which it is carried out remain matters that can be examined using verified records and official explanations.
Ankita's parents were subsequently released, according to reports published on Thursday. Their detention did not end the family's campaign. Instead, it renewed calls for the authorities to address the issues raised by the family.
Family Issues an Ultimatum to the Government
Before the detention, Ankita's father, Virendra Bhandari, gave the government 24 hours to put Gautam's appointment on hold. He warned that the family would organise protests across the country if its demand was not accepted.
The family has also appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene and ensure that the appointment is reconsidered until the CBI investigation is completed.
Ankita's mother, Soni Devi, expressed deep distress over the appointment and reiterated that the family would continue to demand action. The parents have said they want the investigation to address the alleged VIP angle before the matter moves forward.
Their demand is that the investigation should be allowed to proceed without concerns about political influence or the status of individuals being raised by the family.
The 24-hour ultimatum reflects the family's growing frustration, but it remains a demand rather than a government decision. Any change to the appointment would need to be confirmed through an official announcement.
Background of the Ankita Bhandari Murder Case
Ankita Bhandari was reported missing in September 2022, and her body was recovered from the Chilla canal several days later. The case led to widespread protests in Uttarakhand and calls for a detailed investigation.
Three men associated with the resort were arrested and prosecuted in connection with her murder. In May 2025, a court in Kotdwar sentenced the three convicted men to life imprisonment.
Despite the convictions, Ankita's family has continued to seek further clarity about allegations involving a VIP. The CBI investigation into the alleged wider aspects of the case has become a central focus of the family's current campaign.
It is important to distinguish the convictions in the murder case from allegations concerning other individuals. The fact that a family has raised an allegation does not establish criminal responsibility, and any claims about additional involvement must be assessed through the investigation and legal process.
Political Reactions and the Demand for Accountability
The India Gate protest has brought together the family's demand for justice and the opposition's criticism of the governor's appointment. Congress leaders have argued that the authorities should address the family's concerns and ensure that the investigation is completed transparently.
The episode has also prompted debate about the relationship between public appointments and ongoing investigations. The family wants the appointment to be paused, while any formal decision on the matter rests with the relevant constitutional authorities.
The protest has further highlighted the role of peaceful demonstrations in drawing attention to cases that remain matters of public concern. The response of the police and the treatment of protesters have become additional issues in the political debate.
What Happens Next
Following their release, Ankita's parents maintained their demand that Gautam's appointment be put on hold until the investigation is completed. They have warned of further protests if the government does not respond within the period they specified.
The CBI investigation, the family's representations to the authorities and any official response to the appointment demand will determine the next developments.
For now, the India Gate protest has renewed national attention on Ankita Bhandari's case. The family continues to seek answers, while Congress leaders have called for transparency and accountability. The allegations raised by the family remain distinct from established court findings, and further developments should be reported on the basis of verified statements, official records and the progress of the investigation.
