Rahul Gandhi targets BJP over Ankita Bhandari case, alleges protection to 'VIP'
Rahul Gandhi targets BJP over Ankita Bhandari case, alleges protection to 'VIP'
M.U.H
16/08/202613
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday renewed his attack on the BJP over the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case, alleging that the Uttarakhand government continued to shield the “VIP” linked to the crime.
Gandhi said he had met Bhandari’s family in New Delhi two days earlier and accused the BJP of protecting those facing serious allegations.
In a post on X, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said four years had passed since the killing of the 19-year-old receptionist, but her family was still waiting for justice.
Gandhi said Bhandari had been working at the Vanantara Resort in Pauri Garhwal when she was killed after allegedly resisting demands linked to a “VIP” guest.
He also pointed to the demolition of Bhandari’s room at the resort before the investigation had progressed, calling the sequence suspicious.
“The most shameful aspect of this tragic case is that the state government itself continues to protect that ‘VIP’ to this day. Why? Because he is a prominent leader of the BJP-RSS,” Gandhi alleged.
He accused the BJP of having a “warped mentality” of protecting criminals and extending political patronage to those convicted or accused in cases involving crimes against women.
Gandhi said India could not progress unless women were guaranteed dignity, safety, equality and justice.
Bhandari was reported missing in September 2022 and her body was later recovered from a canal.
The investigation found that she had been murdered after refusing her employer’s demand to provide “special” services to a VIP guest at the resort.
The case triggered widespread protests across Uttarakhand and led to the arrest of three people, including the resort owner. They were later convicted of murder.
The case returned to political focus after Gandhi’s remarks and his meeting with Bhandari’s family, with the Congress once again questioning whether everyone allegedly linked to the case had been held accountable.
