NEW DELHI, October 15, 2026 – The Congress party on Thursday heavily criticized the central government following the brief detention of the parents of Ankita Bhandari, calling the police action the “height of cowardice and insensitivity.” The parents were detained on Wednesday while protesting near India Gate against the recent appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim.
Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist, was murdered at the Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh in September 2022. While resort owner Pulkit Arya and two accomplices have already been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, Bhandari’s family has been actively demanding an investigation into allegations involving an unidentified “VIP” allegedly linked to the crime.
The protesting parents have publicly alleged that Dushyant Kumar Gautam is connected to the case, demanding that his gubernatorial appointment be put on hold until the ongoing CBI investigation is completed. The Congress party claims the appointment could shield Gautam, noting that a governor cannot be subjected to criminal proceedings while holding office. Gautam, however, has firmly denied all accusations regarding the case and has initiated defamation proceedings against those making the allegations.
Following their detention, the parents were released early Thursday morning around 5:00 AM. Upon release, Ankita’s father issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Centre, threatening to launch nationwide protests if the appointment is not canceled.
Several Congress leaders, including Pawan Khera, MP Imran Pratapgarhi, Supriya Shrinate, and Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib, were also detained during the demonstration and subsequently released.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge strongly condemned the police action in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “The height of cowardice and insensitivity from the Modi government! Ankita Bhandari’s parents, who were seeking justice, have been taken into custody, while a BJP-linked ‘VIP’ is rewarded with a governorship,” Kharge wrote in Hindi. He characterized the detentions as “state-sponsored oppression,” asserting that treating grieving parents in such a manner is deeply condemnable and an attempt to evade difficult questions.
The Congress party has affirmed its commitment to supporting the family’s continued fight for justice.
Published by True Roots Media Network