Her family has said she was targeted because she declined the advance, a claim that has become central to the public demand for justice.
Soon after the murder, activists and Ankita's parents asserted that the VIP who refused her services was Dushyant Kumar Gautam. They said his name had surfaced in the investigation and that he should be held accountable. Gautam has denied any involvement, insisting the allegations are unfounded.
Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the parents of Ankita Bhandari, who were staging a protest near India Gate in Delhi The parents are demanding that Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim governor be put on hold @kripatistic has more https://t.co/XYMojJcekl
The CBI is currently investigating the case. Congress MP Pawan Khera criticised the Centre's decision to appoint Gautam as Sikkim Governor. Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of protecting the accused and called for justice for Ankita's family.
Claims state that Dushyant Kumar Gautam was appointed as the Governor of Sikkim.
On 13 August 2026, Rahul Gandhi met with Ankita Bhandari's parents. The meeting was described as a gesture of solidarity, with the Congress leader expressing his support for the family's grief and their pursuit of answers.
Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi meet murdered Ankita Bhandari’s parents as they protest Sikkim Governor appointment but question arises on Rahul Gandhi & Priyanka Vadra's silence on Bimol Akoijam Political Analyst @ravi4354 joins in the conversation #RawReport | @JamwalNews18 #AnkitaBhandari #RahulGandhi #PriyankaGandhi #JusticeForAnkita #IndiaGate
Claims state that Dushyant Kumar Gautam was appointed as the Governor of Sikkim. The appointment triggered criticism from various quarters, with protesters arguing that the individual should not assume the role while the murder investigation remained open.
On 14 October 2026, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined a sit-in protest at India Gate. They stood alongside Ankita Bhandari's family, demanding that the appointment be withdrawn until the CBI investigation concluded. Later the same day, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also met the Bhandari parents, reinforcing their message of support.
Ankita Bhandari’s parents, along with activist Yogita Bhayana, staged a protest at India Gate in Delhi earlier today evening, demanding justice and questioning the pace of the CBI investigation. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and senior Congress leaders later joined the family in solidarity, backing their call for a transparent, time-bound probe. @AnmolBali9 reports. #ReportersGrundReport #AnkitaBhandari #Delhi #YogitaBhayana #RahulGandhi #PriyankaGandhi #UttarakhandElections
Virendra Singh Bhandari, Ankita's father, appealed to the President, urging that Dushyant Kumar Gautam not be installed as governor until the CBI probe finished. Rahul Gandhi echoed this sentiment, declaring, "I and the Congress Party stand with them — in their grief as well as in this fight for justice."
