Protesters detained outside Delhi court over Ankita Bhandari murder case

Several people, including Congress members, were detained by Delhi Police on Sunday after staging a demonstration outside Patiala House Court, demanding a transparent, court-monitored investigation into the 2022 murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari in Uttarakhand.

The protesters sought accountability in the case and demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged involvement of a politically influential person, commonly referred to as the 'VIP' angle, which has come under renewed scrutiny amid an ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

Delhi Congress member Laxman Rawat claimed that around 50 demonstrators were detained by police, with several taken to Jaffarpur Police Station.

According to Rawat, approximately 100 to 150 people participated in the protest, including Congress functionaries from Uttarakhand and members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Left parties.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁-𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲

Rawat said the investigation must establish the truth without political interference and ensure accountability for everyone involved, irrespective of their position.

"Ankita Bhandari deserves justice, and her family deserves answers. The serious questions and allegations surrounding this case cannot be ignored or buried under political pressure," he said.

The demonstrators also demanded the removal of BJP leader Dushyant Gautam as Sikkim governor, citing allegations linking him to the purported VIP angle in the case.

"We demand that Dushyant Gautam's appointment as Sikkim governor be revoked and that the CBI investigation into the Ankita Bhandari murder case be conducted under the direct supervision of the Chief Justice of India. The probe must be transparent and free from political or administrative interference," a protester said.

The allegations against Gautam have not been substantiated by incriminating evidence, and his involvement in the alleged VIP angle has not been established.

𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀

Gautam's appointment as Sikkim governor has triggered renewed demonstrations in the national capital, with opposition parties questioning the decision while the investigation into the alleged VIP angle remains underway.

Protesters alleged that the appointment raised questions about accountability and demanded that the authorities ensure the investigation remained free from political or administrative influence.

The controversy stems from allegations that a politically influential individual had sought favours from Bhandari, although the identity and involvement of any such person have not been conclusively established.

Bhandari's body was recovered from the Chilla Barrage near Rishikesh in September 2022, triggering widespread outrage and demands for justice across Uttarakhand.

The case subsequently became a major political controversy, with questions repeatedly raised about the alleged VIP angle and the handling of the investigation.

On Sunday, protesters gathered outside Patiala House Court to press for their demands, following which Delhi Police detained several demonstrators.

The protesters maintained that the investigation should be conducted transparently and under judicial supervision to address concerns surrounding the case and ensure justice for Bhandari's family.