Overview
- Rahul Gandhi met Ankita Bhandari’s family and on Saturday renewed an allegation that a politically connected ‘VIP’ linked to her September 2022 killing is being protected by the state.
- Three people, including Vanantara Resort owner Pulkit Arya, were arrested after large protests in 2022 and have since been convicted of murder in connection with Bhandari’s death.
- News reports say the post‑mortem found signs of physical violence and drowning and that Bhandari’s room at the resort was demolished before investigators could fully examine it, a detail Gandhi called suspicious.
- The BJP has denied the claim that it is shielding any influential figure and the reports describe the ‘VIP’ allegation as an accusation by Gandhi rather than a court‑established fact.
- The case has continued to drive political debate and public scrutiny since 2022, and Gandhi’s statement increases pressure for a fresh inquiry or legal steps to resolve questions the family still raises about who ordered the killing.