The Delhi Police on Thursday morning (Oct 15) brought an overnight protest at India Gate demanding justice for Uttarakhand murder victim Ankita Bhandari to an abrupt endand detained her parents, Congress leaders and other demonstrators around 4 am. The protest erupted after BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam was appointed the governor of Sikkim on Monday. Later, news agency ANI reported that they have been released from Tilak Marg Police Station. Just a day ago, leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met Bhandari's parents and expressed solidarity with them.&nbsp;<h2>Why are they protesting?</h2>The family of Bhandari staged a demonstration against the recent appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim, citing alleged links to the murder plot. They called for an immediate halt to his constitutional posting pending a central investigation. Ankita, a 19-year-old receptionist at Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh, was murdered on September 18, 2022, and her body was recovered from the Chilla Canal on September 24, 2022. The resort owner, Pulkit Arya, son of expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya, and two staff members, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, were arrested, chargesheeted and on May 30, 2025, sentenced to life imprisonment by Additional District Judge Reena Negi in Kotdwar for murder, destruction of evidence and other charges. The murder trial established that resort owner Arya and his accomplices killed Bhandari after she refused to provide special or sexual services to a visiting “VIP” who remains unidentified.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-govt-will-conduct-probe-if-credible-evidence-is-found-uttarakhand-minister-uniyal-on-ankita-bhandari-murder-case-1767531569172">'Govt will conduct probe if credible evidence is found': Uttarakhand minister Uniyal on Ankita Bhandari murder case</a><h2>How is Dushyant Kumar Gautam linked to the case?</h2>Though Gautam is not legally or judicially involved in the case, his named surfaced in connection of the case in late December 2025 when a television actress named Urmila Sanawar released recordings on social media in which Bhandari's murder was being discussed. In these clips, she alleged that an elusive "VIP" guest was allegedly Dushyant Kumar Gautam. However, despite this, Special Investigation Team (SIT) police chargesheet never named Gautam or any specific high-ranking politician as that guest.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ankita-bhandari-murder-case-fir-registered-against-ex-mla-one-other-1766657235398">Ankita Bhandari murder case: FIR registered against Ex-MLA, one other</a><h2>What Congress said?</h2>After meeting the parents, in a post on X, Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP and said that for four years, Bhandari's family has not received justice, but "a 'VIP' accused has certainly been rewarded with protection and a constitutional position". "Where rapists and murderers are welcomed with garlands and criminals are honoured with the power of authority - no hope can be expected from such a misogynistic BJP either. "Today, Ankita's parents, carrying the plea for justice for their daughter, are sitting at India Gate, miles away from their home. I and the Congress Party stand with them - in their grief as well as in this fight for justice," Gandhi said in his post.&nbsp; Meanwhile, Congress leaders Pawan Khera, Jothimani and Imran Pratapgarhi staged a protest inside the police station after being detained earlier in the day. &nbsp;“This is brutality. You can see democracy coming to an end at India Gate. It is ending at 4 am,” Khera said. Hitting out at newly appointed Sikkim Governor Dushyant Gautam, he further alleged that those protesting against the accused were being detained while the person facing allegations could be appointed to a constitutional post. &nbsp;

Ankita Bhandari's parents and Congress leaders were detained after an overnight India Gate protest against Dushyant Kumar Gautam's appointment as Sikkim Governor. The family alleges his links to the unidentified VIP in the murder case, though Gautam has not been named in the SIT chargesheet.

The Delhi Police on Thursday morning (Oct 15) brought an overnight protest at India Gate demanding justice for Uttarakhand murder victim Ankita Bhandari to an abrupt endand detained her parents, Congress leaders and other demonstrators around 4 am. The protest erupted after BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam was appointed the governor of Sikkim on Monday. Later, news agency ANI reported that they have been released from Tilak Marg Police Station. Just a day ago, leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met Bhandari's parents and expressed solidarity with them. Why are they protesting? The family of Bhandari staged a demonstration against the recent appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim, citing alleged links to the murder plot. They called for an immediate halt to his constitutional posting pending a central investigation. Ankita, a 19-year-old receptionist at Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh, was murdered on September 18, 2022, and her body was recovered from the Chilla Canal on September 24, 2022. The resort owner, Pulkit Arya, son of expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya, and two staff members, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, were arrested, chargesheeted and on May 30, 2025, sentenced to life imprisonment by Additional District Judge Reena Negi in Kotdwar for murder, destruction of evidence and other charges. The murder trial established that resort owner Arya and his accomplices killed Bhandari after she refused to provide special or sexual services to a visiting “VIP” who remains unidentified. Also Read: 'Govt will conduct probe if credible evidence is found': Uttarakhand minister Uniyal on Ankita Bhandari murder case How is Dushyant Kumar Gautam linked to the case? Though Gautam is not legally or judicially involved in the case, his named surfaced in connection of the case in late December 2025 when a television actress named Urmila Sanawar released recordings on social media in which Bhandari's murder was being discussed. In these clips, she alleged that an elusive "VIP" guest was allegedly Dushyant Kumar Gautam. However, despite this, Special Investigation Team (SIT) police chargesheet never named Gautam or any specific high-ranking politician as that guest. Also Read: Ankita Bhandari murder case: FIR registered against Ex-MLA, one other What Congress said? After meeting the parents, in a post on X, Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP and said that for four years, Bhandari's family has not received justice, but "a 'VIP' accused has certainly been rewarded with protection and a constitutional position". "Where rapists and murderers are welcomed with garlands and criminals are honoured with the power of authority - no hope can be expected from such a misogynistic BJP either. "Today, Ankita's parents, carrying the plea for justice for their daughter, are sitting at India Gate, miles away from their home. I and the Congress Party stand with them - in their grief as well as in this fight for justice," Gandhi said in his post. Meanwhile, Congress leaders Pawan Khera, Jothimani and Imran Pratapgarhi staged a protest inside the police station after being detained earlier in the day. “This is brutality. You can see democracy coming to an end at India Gate. It is ending at 4 am,” Khera said. Hitting out at newly appointed Sikkim Governor Dushyant Gautam, he further alleged that those protesting against the accused were being detained while the person facing allegations could be appointed to a constitutional post.

Ankita Bhandari's parents and Congress leaders were detained after an overnight India Gate protest against Dushyant Kumar Gautam's appointment as Sikkim Governor. The family alleges his links to the unidentified VIP in the murder case, though Gautam has not been named in the SIT chargesheet.

Ankita Bhandari’s parents detained after overnight India Gate protest; released later: Why are they protesting

Uttarakhand Minister Subodh Uniyal on Sunday asserted that the government will carry out an investigation in case any credible evidence is found in the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case, followed by strict legal action. "The government's stance is clear: if any credible evidence is found, the government will not hesitate to conduct an investigation. The audio clip has been sent to the forensic lab for examination. The situation will become clear after the investigation. The government is committed. It seems that some people want to mislead the public in the name of a new investigation. Action will be taken after the new report is received," Uniyal said. People in large numbers held a protest in Dehradun demanding justice in the case. Earlier on Friday, speaking to ANI, Uniyal said the government had acted promptly after the incident came to light. He further added that the investigation had also stood the test of judicial scrutiny. "The government has already presented its full side in this matter. The government immediately constituted an SIT, after which a thorough investigation was conducted, and life imprisonment was also awarded in the trial court. The SIT's investigation is correct. When some people opposed this and went to the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court's order and rejected their appeal," Uniyal stated. The remarks come days after a fresh controversy erupted following a clip shared by Urmila Sanawar, actress and wife of former BJP MLA from Jwalapur (Haridwar), Suresh Rathore, in connection with the Ankita Bhandari murder case. Minister Subodh Uniyal stated that earlier petitions seeking a CBI probe into the Ankita Bhandari murder case had already been dismissed by the Nainital High Court and the Supreme Court. Making serious allegations, he said that by demanding a CBI investigation, the Congress is attempting to help the three accused who are currently serving sentences in this murder case.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Earlier on Friday, Uniyal said the government had acted promptly after the incident came to light. He further added that the investigation had also stood the test of judicial scrutiny.

Uttarakhand Minister Subodh Uniyal on Sunday asserted that the government will carry out an investigation in case any credible evidence is found in the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case, followed by strict legal action. "The government's stance is clear: if any credible evidence is found, the government will not hesitate to conduct an investigation. The audio clip has been sent to the forensic lab for examination. The situation will become clear after the investigation. The government is committed. It seems that some people want to mislead the public in the name of a new investigation. Action will be taken after the new report is received," Uniyal said. People in large numbers held a protest in Dehradun demanding justice in the case. Earlier on Friday, speaking to ANI, Uniyal said the government had acted promptly after the incident came to light. He further added that the investigation had also stood the test of judicial scrutiny. "The government has already presented its full side in this matter. The government immediately constituted an SIT, after which a thorough investigation was conducted, and life imprisonment was also awarded in the trial court. The SIT's investigation is correct. When some people opposed this and went to the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court's order and rejected their appeal," Uniyal stated. The remarks come days after a fresh controversy erupted following a clip shared by Urmila Sanawar, actress and wife of former BJP MLA from Jwalapur (Haridwar), Suresh Rathore, in connection with the Ankita Bhandari murder case. Minister Subodh Uniyal stated that earlier petitions seeking a CBI probe into the Ankita Bhandari murder case had already been dismissed by the Nainital High Court and the Supreme Court. Making serious allegations, he said that by demanding a CBI investigation, the Congress is attempting to help the three accused who are currently serving sentences in this murder case. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Earlier on Friday, Uniyal said the government had acted promptly after the incident came to light. He further added that the investigation had also stood the test of judicial scrutiny.

'Govt will conduct probe if credible evidence is found': Uttarakhand minister Uniyal on Ankita Bhandari murder case

Police have lodged an FIR at Nehru Colony police station in Dehradun, on Thursday, against Saharanpur resident Urmila Sanawar and former BJP MLA from Jwalapur, Haridwar, Suresh Rathore, in connection with the Ankita Bhandari murder case. The action was taken after former district panchayat member Aarti Gaur filed a complaint alleging that the accused made baseless and defamatory statements, attempting to tarnish her image, in a video circulating on social media. According to the police, an FIR has been registered under Section 67 of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, and Sections 308(7), 351(2), 352, and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, against the two accused. Earlier on Wednesday, BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt launched an attack on Congress, which kept raising the issue of a so-called "VIP" in the Ankita murder case, but backed out when asked to present evidence at the appropriate time. He stated that if Congress had been serious about the matter, it could have given its statement and evidence before the court. At that time, the DGP issued a public appeal, asking anyone with information about a "VIP" to come forward. He said, "No one did so then, nor is anyone doing so now. By indulging in unnecessary conspiracy theories around Ankita, Congress is also disrespecting the soul of the deceased girl." He further said, "A complaint has been filed against an unverified viral video, terming it as manipulated, yet Congress is attempting to use it as a political weapon. The woman whose audio has gone viral has a well-known record and is alleged to have political motives. Despite this, Congress is trying to create a controversy for political gain." Bhatt questioned the Congress leaders for making allegations without verifying the audio's authenticity, calling it yet another example of the height of their unethical politics. He said that Congress leaders should immediately issue a public apology for such irresponsible statements.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The action was taken after former district panchayat member Aarti Gaur filed a complaint alleging that the accused made baseless and defamatory statements.

Police have lodged an FIR at Nehru Colony police station in Dehradun, on Thursday, against Saharanpur resident Urmila Sanawar and former BJP MLA from Jwalapur, Haridwar, Suresh Rathore, in connection with the Ankita Bhandari murder case. The action was taken after former district panchayat member Aarti Gaur filed a complaint alleging that the accused made baseless and defamatory statements, attempting to tarnish her image, in a video circulating on social media. According to the police, an FIR has been registered under Section 67 of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, and Sections 308(7), 351(2), 352, and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, against the two accused. Earlier on Wednesday, BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt launched an attack on Congress, which kept raising the issue of a so-called "VIP" in the Ankita murder case, but backed out when asked to present evidence at the appropriate time. He stated that if Congress had been serious about the matter, it could have given its statement and evidence before the court. At that time, the DGP issued a public appeal, asking anyone with information about a "VIP" to come forward. He said, "No one did so then, nor is anyone doing so now. By indulging in unnecessary conspiracy theories around Ankita, Congress is also disrespecting the soul of the deceased girl." He further said, "A complaint has been filed against an unverified viral video, terming it as manipulated, yet Congress is attempting to use it as a political weapon. The woman whose audio has gone viral has a well-known record and is alleged to have political motives. Despite this, Congress is trying to create a controversy for political gain." Bhatt questioned the Congress leaders for making allegations without verifying the audio's authenticity, calling it yet another example of the height of their unethical politics. He said that Congress leaders should immediately issue a public apology for such irresponsible statements. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The action was taken after former district panchayat member Aarti Gaur filed a complaint alleging that the accused made baseless and defamatory statements.

Ankita Bhandari murder case: FIR registered against Ex-MLA, one other

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Ankita Bhandari’s parents detained after overnight India Gate protest; released later: Why are they protesting

Will conduct probe if evidence found: Uttarakhand minister on Ankita murder case

Ankita Bhandari murder case: FIR registered against Ex-MLA, one other