Congress Condemns Detention of Ankita Bhandari’s Parents, Calls It ‘Cowardly and Insensitive’

New Delhi, October 15: The Congress on Thursday strongly criticised the Centre over the detention of Ankita Bhandari’s parents during a protest in the national capital, describing the action as an example of “cowardice and insensitivity” by the Narendra Modi government.

The parents of the 19 year old, who was murdered in Uttarakhand in September 2022, were released around 5 am on Thursday, hours after they were detained while demonstrating near India Gate against Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment as the governor of Sikkim.

During the protest, Ankita’s father issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Centre, demanding that Gautam’s appointment be cancelled. He warned that failure to meet the demand would trigger a nationwide agitation.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the detention, alleging that the government was attempting to avoid questions surrounding the case rather than addressing the family’s concerns.

In a post on X in Hindi, Kharge said the detention of grieving parents seeking justice, while a person linked by allegations to the controversy was appointed to a constitutional position, reflected the government’s insensitivity.

He described the action as “state-sponsored oppression” and said it demonstrated an attempt to evade difficult questions rather than strength on the part of the government.

Kharge added that treating parents who had lost their daughter in such circumstances was shameful and condemnable. He also reaffirmed that the Congress would continue to pursue justice for Ankita.

According to the family, Gautam’s appointment should be put on hold until the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case is completed.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Ankita’s father said the family was giving the government 24 hours to withdraw the appointment and would launch protests across the country if its demand was not accepted.

Several Congress leaders were also detained during the demonstration and subsequently released. Those detained included Pawan Khera, head of the party’s media and publicity department; Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi; social media department head Supriya Shrinate; and Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib.

The episode has renewed political tensions surrounding Ankita’s death and persistent demands for a comprehensive investigation into allegations that an unidentified influential person, referred to as a “VIP”, was connected to the crime.

Ankita worked as a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. She was reported murdered on September 18, 2022, and her body was recovered from the Chilla canal four days later.

Resort owner Pulkit Arya, the son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, and two accomplices were convicted in the case and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Despite the convictions, the alleged VIP angle has remained a point of contention, with Ankita’s family and activists seeking further investigation into whether anyone else was involved.

Gautam has denied the allegations made against him and has initiated defamation proceedings against those who have linked him to the case.

The Congress has alleged that his appointment as governor could complicate efforts to pursue the allegations, arguing that the constitutional position raises questions about the possibility of criminal proceedings while he remains in office.

The controversy has placed the Centre under renewed political pressure, with the opposition demanding that the appointment be reconsidered until the investigation reaches a conclusion.

Ankita’s parents have maintained that their demand is intended to ensure accountability and establish the truth about the allegations surrounding their daughter’s death.

The family’s ultimatum now puts the focus on the government’s response, while the Congress has vowed to continue raising the matter. The demand for further scrutiny of the alleged VIP connection remains central to the dispute, even as the three individuals convicted in Ankita’s murder continue to face life sentences.