Last Updated on October 14, 2026 11:36 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Opposition Protests BJP Leader Dushyant Gautam’s Appointment as Sikkim Governor
Staff Reporter / New Delhi
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, alongside Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, met with the parents of the late Ankita Bhandari at India Gate on Wednesday, expressing solidarity with their ongoing pursuit of justice.
The meeting came amidst protests by Ankita’s family and opposition leaders against the recent appointment of senior BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim.
Appeal to President Murmu:
Ankita’s parents, Virendra Singh Bhandari and Soni Devi, have urged President Droupadi Murmu to put Dushyant Gautam’s gubernatorial appointment on hold.They requested that no official swearing-in take place until the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged “VIP” connection behind their daughter’s murder is fully concluded.
Background of the 2022 Murder:
Nineteen-year-old Ankita Bhandari, who worked as a receptionist at a resort near Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, was murdered in September 2022. While key accused persons were previously convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, the victim’s family has consistently demanded a thorough probe into the alleged involvement of a high-profile “VIP” linked to the resort.
Political Support:
Reaffirming Congress’s backing, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi assured the grieving parents of complete support in their fight for justice.The Congress leadership questioned the timing of Gautam’s appointment while investigations and political scrutiny surrounding the case remain active.
Response & Defamation:
Dushyant Kumar Gautam has refuted all allegations connecting him to the case, maintaining his innocence and initiating legal defamation proceedings against those circulating the claims.