The Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) staged a dharna in Gangtok demanding the Union Government immediately revoke the appointment of senior BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim. The protest comes alongside intense demonstrations in Delhi, where the parents of Ankita Bhandari were briefly detained during an overnight protest near India Gate.
The controversy stems from the ongoing investigation into the alleged “VIP angle” in the 2022 murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari, who was killed after refusing to provide “special services” at a resort in Uttarakhand’s Pauri Garhwal district. While three individuals were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in May 2023, the identity of the alleged VIP remains unresolved.
Although Gautam’s name has surfaced in public discussions surrounding the VIP connection, he has denied the allegations, has not been named as an accused in the murder case, and no court has established his involvement. The inquiry into the VIP angle was referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in January 2026.
Key Highlights of the Opposition and Protests
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Objection to Constitutional Appointment: SPCC President Gopal Chettri questioned the decision to appoint Gautam to a high constitutional office while the CBI investigation remains active. He appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene and pause the appointment until the probe concludes.
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Protests at India Gate: Ankita Bhandari’s parents were detained and subsequently released by Delhi Police after protesting near India Gate. Her mother warned of a home-based hunger strike if the appointment is not revoked, while her father called for action within 24 hours.
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Criticism of Police Action: Chettri strongly condemned the detention of Bhandari’s parents, questioning why grieving parents seeking justice were treated harshly by law enforcement.
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Message from Sikkim: Emphasizing that Sikkim’s peaceful nature should not be mistaken for indifference, Chettri noted that citizens are aware and will speak out against perceived injustices.
Gautam was appointed Governor of Sikkim by the President’s Secretariat on October 12 as part of a broader gubernatorial reshuffle. The SPCC maintains that pausing the appointment is necessary to uphold public faith in key constitutional institutions.
