At the Press Club of India on Thursday, Soni Devi, mother of the 19‑year‑old Ankita Bhandari, burst into tears as she demanded the truth about the man she believes killed her daughter. She accused a 'VIP' named Dushyant Gautam of being involved, citing a call recording that allegedly linked him to the case. The mother said the only thing left was a CBI probe and that Gautam must not be allowed to serve as governor until the investigation is finished.
Gautam, a former BJP leader, was sworn in as Governor of Sikkim earlier this week, a move that the Bhandari family decried as a shield for a suspect. Virendra Singh Bhandari, Ankita’s father, said the family would request the President to revoke Gautam’s appointment within 24 hours and would stage nationwide protests if the government ignored them. He added that call detail records for Pulkit Arya on 18 and 19 September 2022 were crucial to the case.
Ankita Bhandari was found dead in the Chilla canal on 18 September 2022, after being reported missing from the Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh. The resort’s owner, Pulkit Arya, along with two accomplices, have been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Despite convictions, the family insists there was a VIP connection that has yet to be examined.
The BJP has denied any wrongdoing and has even filed defamation suits against the family, while the Congress argues that Gautam’s gubernatorial appointment could impede criminal proceedings. Critics say that governors cannot face prosecution while in office, a loophole that the family fears will protect the alleged killer. The case has drawn attention from civil society groups demanding a thorough investigation.
If the government refuses to revoke Gautam’s appointment, the family plans to mobilise protests across districts, with some supporters already preparing sit‑ins in Delhi. The next major development will be the President’s decision on whether to pull back the appointment, and whether the CBI will launch an inquiry into Gautam and Pulkit Arya. The family insists the truth must surface before any further political appointments are made.