Rahul Gandhi Meets Ankita Bhandaris Parents at India Gate Amid Protests

New Delhi, October 14: Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, met with the parents of Ankita Bhandari at India Gate on Wednesday evening. Accompanied by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, they spent nearly an hour with the grieving family.

Ankita’s parents, Virendra Singh Bhandari and Soni Devi, traveled from Uttarakhand to Delhi to protest against the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim. Gautam was appointed to the position on October 12.

Family’s Appeal to the President

Virendra Singh Bhandari has urged President Droupadi Murmu to halt the appointment until the CBI investigation is completed. Soni Devi expressed that the news of the appointment has deeply shocked the family and they have also requested the President’s intervention. They have sought an appointment to meet with her.

Soni Devi noted that although they have not received a hearing at the local level, they have always had the support of the public, which has helped bring their case to this point. She expressed hope that the community would continue to stand by them.

Background of the Case

Ankita Bhandari was a receptionist at a resort near Rishikesh. Tragically, she was murdered at the age of 19 in September 2022. In May 2025, a court sentenced the resort owner, Pulkit Arya, and two employees to life imprisonment for their roles in her death.

Questions Surrounding ‘VIP’ Involvement

The case has raised questions about the alleged involvement of a ‘VIP,’ with the family demanding to know their identity. The Uttarakhand government recommended a CBI investigation on January 9, 2026. The CBI registered a case in February in Delhi, but the FIR is against unknown individuals, with no names specified. To date, no investigation agency has identified anyone as a ‘VIP’ in the case.

In January 2026, the Delhi High Court issued an interim order regarding Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s defamation petition, directing Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party to remove social media posts linking him to the case.

New Governors in Six States: Om Prakash Mathur for Kerala, Arlekar for Tamil Nadu; Dushyant Gautam for Sikkim. Rahul Gandhi holds opposition meeting at his residence: “Our mission is to secure the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.”

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Kuldeep Singh Chundawat: My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.