Published Oct 16, 2026 | 7:52 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 16, 2026 | 7:52 PM
Seva Dal condemned the appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim's Governor.
Synopsis: Congress Seva Dal reiterated that the candle march symbolised solidarity with Ankita’s family and a collective demand for truth, justice, and accountability. The organisation called on the authorities to ensure the investigation remains transparent, credible allegations are examined independently, and no political consideration obstructs the course of justice.
The Indian National Congress Seva Dal on Friday, 16 October, organised a candle march in New Delhi to demand justice for Ankita Bhandari, pay tribute to her memory, and express solidarity with her family.
Seva Dal members renewed their demand for a transparent, impartial, time-bound investigation into the case and called on authorities to ensure accountability without political interference.
Carrying candles and raising slogans demanding justice, participants emphasised that the concerns of Ankita’s family must be addressed and that every relevant allegation must be examined fairly. The organisation asserted that political considerations or the influence of powerful individuals cannot compromise the pursuit of justice.
Also Read: Delhi police detain slain Ankita Bhandari’s parents in pre-dawn swoop
Addressing the gathering, Srinivas BV, National President of Congress Seva Dal, demanded that competent authorities take immediate action on the allegations against Dushyant Kumar Gautam. Referring to the BJP-led government’s appointment of him as Governor of Sikkim, he called for a credible investigation. He stressed that no individual should be exempt from scrutiny under the law.
“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. We demand an impartial investigation into every relevant aspect of the matter and immediate, appropriate action wherever the evidence warrants it. No individual, however influential, should be above the law,” Srinivas said in a media statement.
He further said, “The BJP-led government must answer the concerns being raised and ensure that the demand for justice is not reduced to empty assurances. The authorities must act without fear or favour, examine all relevant evidence, and ensure accountability in accordance with the law. Justice for Ankita Bhandari must remain the priority.”
Also Read: Rahul Gandhi urges President Murmu to defer Gautam’s appointment
Congress Seva Dal reiterated that the candle march symbolised solidarity with Ankita’s family and a collective demand for truth, justice, and accountability. The organisation called on the authorities to ensure the investigation remains transparent, credible allegations are examined independently, and no political consideration obstructs the course of justice.
The organisation affirmed that it would continue to speak up for Ankita Bhandari and stand with her family in their pursuit of justice.
On Thursday, the Delhi Police detained Ankita’s parents, who were sitting in protest with Congress MPs, including Pawan Khera, Imran Pratapgarhi, Jothimani, R Sudha, and other leaders from India Gate in New Delhi around 3.45 am. Police released them hours later from Tilak Marg Police Station.
They were sitting in protest, demanding that the appointment of Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim be put on hold until the CBI completed the ongoing probe into Ankita’s murder at a Uttarakhand resort in 2022.
Ankita was a receptionist at Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh when she was killed on 18 September 2022. The 19-year-old’s body was found four days later in the Chilla canal.
Resort owner Pulkit Arya and his two accomplices were convicted in the case and sentenced to life imprisonment. Pulkit is the son of BJP leader Vinod Arya.
Ankita’s family and activists demanded a probe into the alleged VIP angle, and they linked Gautam to the allegations. Her parents claimed that the VIP who had played a major role in her murder was Gautam.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged President Droupadi Murmu to ask the central government to reconsider appointing Gautam as Sikkim’s governor.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
