Parents of Ankita Bhandari Detained at India Gate, Released Shortly After

New Delhi, October 15: The parents of Ankita Bhandari were detained by Delhi police early Thursday morning at India Gate, where they had been protesting overnight. Reports indicate that the detention occurred around 3:45 AM, and they were released by approximately 5 AM. All detainees were taken to Tilak Marg police station.

The operation was conducted by Delhi police in collaboration with the CRPF. Ankita’s parents were protesting against the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim, demanding that the appointment be halted until the CBI investigation is completed.

Congress Leaders Also Detained

During the same incident, Congress leaders Pawan Khera, Supriya Srinet, and Kazi Nizamuddin, among others, were also taken into custody. Khera protested inside the police station, claiming that the actions taken were an infringement on democracy, stating that it was an end to democracy at 4 AM at India Gate.

Family Plans Hunger Strike

After their release, Ankita’s parents vowed to continue their movement until the appointment is revoked. They stated that if they are barred from protesting at India Gate, they will initiate a hunger strike from their home in Uttarakhand.

Just a day prior, on Wednesday evening, Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the protest site to meet with the family, spending nearly an hour there.

Case Background and Current Legal Status

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, the court sentenced resort operator Pulkit Arya and two others to life imprisonment.

Questions have persisted regarding the alleged involvement of a ‘VIP’ in the case, with the family demanding identification of this individual. The Uttarakhand government recommended a CBI investigation on January 9, 2026, leading to the registration of a case in February in Delhi, although the FIR remains against unknown individuals. No investigative agency has yet identified anyone as a ‘VIP.’

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

Author Profile

Ganpat Singh Chouhan: My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 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.