Rahul Gandhi Urges President to Reconsider Governor Appointment Amid Ankita Bhandari Case

New Delhi, October 16: Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has written to President Droupadi Murmu, requesting a reconsideration of the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim. He urged that Gautam should not assume office until the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) completes its investigation. The letter, dated October 15, coincided with a press conference held by Ankita Bhandari’s parents, who issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government.

In his letter, Gandhi highlighted that Ankita Bhandari was just 19 years old when she was murdered on September 18, 2022. She worked as a receptionist at a resort near Rishikesh. According to the letter, her employer, Pulkit Arya, pressured her to provide “special services” to guests. When she refused, Arya and two other employees murdered her; all three are currently serving life sentences. Gandhi pointed out that a critical question remains unanswered for four years: who were the “VIPs” involved?

The letter argues that no criminal proceedings can be initiated or continued against someone holding the governor’s position. Gandhi expressed concern that Gautam’s appointment would place him beyond the reach of the CBI, rendering any investigation ineffective. He emphasized that a governor must earn the trust of the people in their state.

Gandhi also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for neglecting women’s safety, stating that governors are appointed based on the advice of the council of ministers led by the Prime Minister. He invoked Article 74(1), which grants the President the authority to seek reconsideration of such appointments, indicating that he is writing this letter as a last resort. He noted that Ankita’s parents continue to fight for justice and are facing police harassment for opposing the appointment.

As for the current legal situation, in May 2025, a court sentenced resort operator Pulkit Arya and two employees to life imprisonment. Questions regarding the alleged “VIP” involvement have persisted, with the family demanding identification of these individuals. The Uttarakhand government recommended a CBI investigation on January 9, 2026, and the CBI registered a case in February, but it remains against unknown individuals. No agency has yet identified anyone as a “VIP.” In January 2026, the Delhi High Court issued an interim order regarding a defamation petition filed by Gautam, directing the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party to remove social media posts linking him to the case. Gautam was appointed governor on October 12.

So far, there has been no response from the President’s office regarding this letter, nor has there been any statement from the BJP or Dushyant Kumar Gautam.

Ankita’s parents, during their press conference, demanded immediate public disclosure of the location and call records of Dushyant Kumar Gautam and another individual during the period of September 18-19, 2022. They also criticized the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for failing to recover Arya’s old mobile phone and sought answers regarding the circumstances under which the resort was demolished.

“I just want justice for my daughter. This fight is not just for my daughter; it is for every daughter,” said Sony Devi, Ankita Bhandari’s mother.

Meanwhile, a group of Dalit intellectuals has written an open letter to the Congress party, stating that morality should reflect in the party’s conduct. No response has been received from Congress regarding this letter.

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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.