The Congress party has intensified its protests across Delhi and Uttarakhand, demanding a transparent and court-monitored investigation into the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari. Demonstrations reignited following the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Gautam as the governor of Sikkim amid an ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation probe examining an alleged VIP angle in the case.
In the national capital, several individuals, including members of the Congress party, were detained by Delhi Police on Sunday outside the Patiala House Court after staging a protest that called for a thorough inquiry. Concurrently, the National Students' Union of India organised a candle march in Delhi under heavy security. Led by national president Vinod Jakhar, the student wing questioned the ruling party's commitment to women's safety, raising concerns over the elevation of an individual to a gubernatorial post while an inquiry is ongoing.
Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand, state leaders led a candle march in Dehradun on Saturday to protest the appointment. The procession started at the party headquarters on Rajpur Road, moved through Ghantaghar, and returned to its starting point. Prominent participants included state in-charge Kumari Selja, state unit president Ganesh Godiyal, former chief minister Harish Rawat, Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya, Mahila Congress president Jyoti Rautela, alongside several current and former legislators.
The 19-year-old victim worked as a receptionist at a resort near Rishikesh and was found dead in September 2022. Resort owner Pulkit Arya and two employees were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime. However, public demands for a broader probe intensified after audio and video clips purportedly pointing to a VIP's involvement circulated on social media.
Following persistent appeals from the victim's parents, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recommended a CBI inquiry in January, leading the agency to register a case against unidentified individuals. As the investigation proceeds, a team of CBI officials visited the residence of actress Urmila Sanawar in connection with the case, while opposition parties continue to press for accountability regarding the unestablished VIP allegations.