Rahul Gandhi Joins India Gate Sit-In Over Ankita Bhandari Murder Case, Family Seeks Justice

New Delhi, October 15, 2026: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi joined the parents of Ankita Bhandari at a sit-in protest near India Gate in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, October 14. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party leaders also met the family as they renewed their demand for justice in the 2022 murder case.

The protest has brought the case back into the national spotlight following the appointment of former BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim Governor. Ankita’s parents have asked President Droupadi Murmu to put the appointment on hold until the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged VIP angle is completed.

Why Are Ankita Bhandari’s Parents Protesting?

Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist at a resort near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, was murdered in September 2022. Her death triggered widespread protests and demands for accountability.

Her parents have continued to seek answers about allegations concerning an influential person, commonly referred to as a “VIP,” in connection with the case. The renewed protest follows Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim Governor, which the family has questioned while seeking further investigation.

The allegations concerning Gautam remain unproven, and he has not been named as an accused in the chargesheet, according to media reports. The family’s demand is for the investigation to establish the facts and address the alleged VIP connection.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Meet the Family

Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Congress leaders, met Ankita’s parents at India Gate and expressed support for their demand for accountability.

The Congress has criticised the appointment of Gautam while the CBI investigation is ongoing. The family has also appealed directly to the President, asking that the appointment be reconsidered until the investigation reaches a conclusion.

The protest has become part of a wider political debate over women's safety, accountability and the handling of high-profile criminal cases. The Congress has raised questions about the timing of the appointment, while the legal status of the allegations remains a matter for the investigating agency and relevant authorities.

What Is the Status of the Ankita Bhandari Murder Case?

Ankita was employed at the Vanantara resort near Rishikesh. Her body was recovered from a canal several days after she went missing in September 2022.

Resort owner Pulkit Arya and two other men, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, were convicted in the murder case and sentenced to life imprisonment in May 2025.

The subsequent controversy has focused on whether an alleged VIP connection was adequately investigated. The CBI took up the case in 2026 following a recommendation from the Uttarakhand government. The investigation into the alleged VIP angle has renewed demands from Ankita’s family for a comprehensive inquiry.

Political Reactions and the Road Ahead

The India Gate sit-in has renewed scrutiny of the Uttarakhand government’s handling of the case and the decision to appoint Gautam as governor. The Congress has called for accountability, while the BJP-led Uttarakhand government has maintained that the case was investigated and the convicted men were punished through the judicial process.

The central issue now is whether the ongoing investigation will clarify the allegations surrounding the alleged VIP connection. Ankita’s family continues to seek answers, while the investigation and any related legal proceedings will determine the next steps.

The case remains a significant public discussion about justice for victims, transparency in investigations and accountability in cases involving allegations against influential individuals.

Source: Ground report shared by the user; reporting by The Indian Express, NDTV and other news outlets.

Disclaimer: Allegations concerning individuals not convicted or formally established as responsible should not be treated as proven facts. The investigation and legal process must determine responsibility.