Rahul Gandhi urged President Murmu to halt Dushyant Gautam's appointment as Sikkim Governor until the CBI completes its probe into Ankita Bhandari's murder, saying it could shatter her parents' hope for justice.
Rahul Gandhi meets the family of Ankita Bhandari
New Delhi,Oct 15, 2026 19:32 IST
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has written to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to advise the government to reconsider Dushyant Kumar Gautam's appointment as Sikkim Governor and not allow him to assume office until the CBI completes its investigation into the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari.
In his letter, Gandhi said the 19-year-old had refused to compromise her dignity for a VIP, which led to her murder. He questioned why the identity of the alleged VIP remained unknown even four years later, blaming what he described as the CBI's sluggish investigation.
Gandhi said Ankita's family and several others believed Gautam was connected to the case, and expressed shock over his appointment as governor. He also claimed that no criminal proceedings could be initiated against Gautam while he served in the constitutional post.
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of showing no concern for women's safety by advising Gautam's appointment, Gandhi appealed to the President to intervene. He urged her not to let Ankita's parents' hope for justice be shattered.
"By advising the appointment of Dushyant Gautam, Prime Minister Modi has proven that he has absolutely no concern for women's safety," he wrote.
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