Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to the President seeking a suspension of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment as Governor of Sikkim until the investigation into the Ankita Bhandari murder case is completed. Ankita’s parents have also questioned the appointment and issued the government a 24-hour ultimatum, reiterating their demand for an impartial investigation, disclosure of call records and justice for their daughter.
The developments have brought renewed attention to the 2022 murder case, with political leaders, social justice representatives and the victim’s family raising questions about the investigation and the handling of evidence.
Rahul Gandhi wrote to the President on Thursday, seeking to prevent Dushyant Kumar Gautam from assuming office as Governor of Sikkim until the investigation into the Ankita Bhandari case is completed. The request centres on questions raised by Ankita’s family and their concerns about the investigation.
The family has repeatedly sought the public disclosure of information related to the case and a thorough examination of facts they consider significant. They have maintained that their concerns will remain unresolved until their questions receive clear answers.
The demand to suspend Gautam’s appointment does not, in itself, establish the validity of any allegations against him. Allegations, investigative findings and legal responsibility remain distinct matters.
Ankita Bhandari’s parents held a press conference on Thursday and reiterated their demands. They urged the government to halt Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment as Governor and respond to the questions surrounding the case. They also gave the government 24 hours to act on their demands.
Ankita’s mother said their fight was aimed at securing justice for their daughter. She said the struggle extended beyond their family and concerned the safety and justice of every daughter.
The family has called for an impartial examination of all significant facts that have emerged in the case and clear answers to questions that remain unresolved.
Ankita’s parents have demanded the public disclosure of the location data and call records of Ajay Kumar and Dushyant Kumar for September 18 and 19, 2022. They believe an examination of this information could help answer questions about the sequence of events.
The family has also questioned whether the Special Investigation Team (SIT) recovered the old mobile phone of Pulkit Arya, the main accused in the case. They have sought a clear response on the matter.
In addition, Ankita’s parents have raised questions about the circumstances under which the resort was demolished. They want to know why the action was taken and whether it affected any potential evidence related to the case.
The questions raised by the family require clarification from the relevant investigative agencies and authorities. Their demands need to be examined against the available facts and evidence.
Ankita Bhandari worked as a receptionist at a resort in Uttarakhand. Her murder came to light in September 2022, triggering widespread discussion about women’s safety, workplace harassment and the alleged involvement of influential individuals.
Her body was recovered from the Chilla canal on September 24, 2022. Resort owner Pulkit Arya and two employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, were arrested in connection with the case.
On May 30, 2025, Additional District and Sessions Judge Reena Negi at the Kotdwar court sentenced all three accused to life imprisonment for murder and related offences.
Questions have also continued over the role of an alleged VIP in the case. According to the available details, the identity of the individual has not been made public. Ankita’s family has called for this aspect to be investigated clearly.
Ankita’s family has continued to raise questions about Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s alleged role in the case. His appointment as Governor of Sikkim has consequently drawn opposition, with the family urging the authorities to consider suspending the appointment until the questions surrounding the case have been investigated.
The case has also reportedly been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). However, the current status of the investigation, the evidence available against any individual and the findings of the relevant authorities need to be assessed on the basis of official documents.
Political or public objections to an appointment are distinct from allegations legally established against an individual. Calls for transparency and an impartial investigation remain separate from the judicial determination of responsibility.
Ankita’s family staged a protest at India Gate in Delhi, demanding justice for her. According to the available details, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi joined the family at the protest site on Wednesday.
At around 4 am on Thursday, people associated with the protest were reportedly taken into custody. They were released approximately two hours later.
The developments intensified the political and social debate surrounding the case. The family has reiterated its demand to be heard and to receive answers to the questions it has raised.
Amid Congress’s involvement in the Ankita Bhandari case, Dalit intellectuals, academics and representatives of social justice organisations wrote an open letter to the party’s leadership on Thursday.
The letter stated that political parties advocating constitutional morality and social justice should also uphold these principles in their political conduct. The signatories alleged that the principles of social justice and constitutional morality should not be applied selectively to target political opponents.
They urged Congress to adopt consistent standards in its position and conduct. The letter has brought questions of political accountability and social justice into the broader debate surrounding the investigation and Gautam’s appointment.
Abhijit Dipke, founder of CJP, expressed concern about the treatment of Ankita’s parents. He said parents fighting to secure justice for their daughter should not be subjected to inhumane treatment.
His remarks highlighted concerns about the treatment of the victim’s family. Hearing the concerns of families affected by serious crimes, providing clear responses to their demands and making appropriate information about investigative procedures available are important aspects of public accountability.
Attention is now focused on the responses of the government and the relevant investigative agencies to the questions raised by Ankita’s family. Their demands include disclosure of call records and location data, clarification over the recovery of the mobile phone and answers about the demolition of the resort.
The family has also sought a halt to Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment as Governor of Sikkim until the investigation is completed.
The developments have once again brought the case into the national spotlight, with Rahul Gandhi’s letter to the President, the family’s demands and the open letter to Congress adding to the debate. Further clarity will depend on official responses and the progress of the investigation.
