Parents of Ankita Bhandari Demand Justice at India Gate, Rahul Gandhi Offers Support

New Delhi, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : Ankita Bhandari’s parents staged a protest near India Gate in New Delhi on October 14, demanding justice for their daughter, who was murdered in a high-profile case in Uttarakhand. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, visited them and pledged his support in their fight for justice.

In a post on X, Gandhi highlighted the ongoing struggle of Bhandari’s family, stating, “For four years, Ankita Bhandari’s family has not received justice, but a ‘VIP’ accused has been given protection and rewarded with a constitutional position. In a system that welcomes rapists and murderers with garlands, no hope can be placed in this anti-women BJP. Today, Ankita’s parents sit miles away from home, pleading for justice at India Gate. I and the Congress party stand with them—in their sorrow and in this fight for justice.”

In response to Gandhi’s accusations and the protest, the Pushkar Singh Dhami government defended its actions, asserting that securing life sentences for the culprits demonstrates their commitment to justice from the very beginning.

A statement from the Uttarakhand government noted that the accused were sent to jail within 24 hours, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to ensure a fair and thorough investigation. Additionally, actions were taken against the accused under the Gangster Act.

The government reported that a detailed charge sheet of nearly 500 pages was prepared during the investigation, containing crucial evidence and statements from around 100 witnesses. Thanks to strong advocacy from the prosecution, the bail applications of the accused were repeatedly denied, keeping them in jail throughout the trial. Ultimately, the perpetrators of Ankita’s murder were sentenced to life imprisonment.

The government emphasized that throughout the process, the emotional needs of Ankita’s parents and family were treated with utmost priority. In response to the family’s requests, public prosecutors were changed three times. Moreover, when the parents called for a CBI investigation, Chief Minister Dhami complied with their demand.

It is important to note that Ankita Bhandari was allegedly murdered in a resort in Uttarakhand in 2022.