Delhi Protesters Release Parents of Murdered Uttarakhand Girl, Demand Gautam's Resignation

Ankita Bhandari, a 19‑year‑old receptionist at Vantara resort in Rishikesh, was found dead in a canal on 18 September 2022. Her body was recovered four days later amid a police investigation that has yet to bring the alleged killer to justice.

Her parents, Nita and Ramesh Bhandari, staged an overnight sit‑in at India Gate on 27 May 2026 to pressure the government. The protest lasted until early morning, when Delhi Police detained them for violating the protest ban.

They were released after a brief detention, but not before raising a demand that Dushyant Kumar Gautam, the BJP leader appointed governor of Sikkim, be stripped of his post until the Central Bureau of Investigation completes its probe into Bhandari’s murder. The parents, joined by Congress MP Pawan Khera, threatened a hunger strike if the appointment is not revoked within 24 hours. Their words echoed in the chilly Delhi air, resonating with families across the country. Gautam, who has denied any involvement and has filed defamation suits against the Bhandaris, argues that his gubernatorial role shields him from criminal proceedings. The Congress alleges that his appointment was a protective move, citing the fact that a governor cannot face criminal charges while in office. The murder case also implicates Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, who was convicted of life imprisonment for orchestrating the killing. The Bhandaris’ protest has reignited public scrutiny over the alleged VIP cover‑up. Delhi Police have announced that they will file an official report on the detention of the parents, while the Central Bureau of Investigation is expected to present a finding in the next two weeks. The next major development will be the government’s decision on Gautam’s governorship, due to be announced by the end of the month.