‘Whenever I Open My Eyes, I See Her’: Ankita Bhandari’s Mother’s Heart breaking plea for Justice

Ankita Bhandari’s parents have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Centre, demanding action over Dushyant Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim governor and Supreme Court supervision of the CBI probe.

Post Published By: Aditya Wadhawan

Updated : 16 October 2026, 12:04 AM IST

Ankita Bhandari’s parents demand justice and threaten a nationwide protest over Dushyant Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim governor. (Images: X)

New Delhi: The family of Ankita Bhandari who was murdered in Uttarakhand in 2022, has raised fresh concerns over the investigation into her death following the appointment of former BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim governor. Ankita’s mother expressed fears that her daughter might never receive justice, while her father issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Centre, demanding that Gautam’s appointment be cancelled.

The family has also sought Supreme Court's supervision of the ongoing CBI investigation.

Ankita Bhandari Case: Parents Threaten Nationwide Protest

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Ankita’s father said his wife fell ill after learning about Gautam’s appointment. He warned that the family would launch a protest if the government failed to meet its demand. The family has alleged that Gautam was connected to the so-called “VIP angle” in the case. Gautam has denied the allegations and initiated defamation proceedings against those making them.

Mother’s Emotional Appeal goes viral

Ankita’s mother described the continuing pain of losing her daughter and said the family had been unable to celebrate festivals or live peacefully since her death. Her parents have appealed to people across the country to support their demand for justice.  Activist Yogita Bhayana said the family did not want its protest to be associated with any political party. Ankita’s parents were released around 5 am on Thursday after being detained during a protest near India Gate.

Abhishek Banerjee Backs Family, Questions Protest Restrictions

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee expressed solidarity with Ankita’s parents, accusing the BJP of undermining democratic rights and restricting peaceful dissent. He criticised the circumstances surrounding the detention, bringing renewed political attention to the family’s demands.

What Happened to Ankita Bhandari?

Ankita, 19, worked as a receptionist at Vanantra Resort near Rishikesh. She was murdered on September 18, 2022, and her body was recovered from the Chilla canal four days later. Resort owner Pulkit Arya and two accomplices were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, allegations surrounding an unidentified VIP have continued to fuel demands for further investigation.

The family is now seeking Gautam’s removal as governor and Supreme Court's supervision of the CBI probe, warning of a wider agitation if its demands remain unmet.