New Delhi/Dehradun, Oct 15 The demand for removal of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim governor gained momentum on Thursday, with the Congress seeking President Droupadi Murmu’s intervention on reconsidering his appointment till the CBI completes its probe in the Ankita Bhandari murder case, and the deceased’s parents saying they would launch a nationwide protest if the government does not act immediately.
Ankita’s parents, who began a sit-in at India Gate on Wednesday, were detained early this morning and were released after about an hour.
In Ankita’s home state Uttarakhand, the Congress staged a protest outside the Lok Bhawan in Dehradun after its leaders were not allegedly not allowed to submit a memorandum demanding Gautam’s appointment be put on hold.
Several leaders including former chief minister Harish Rawat, state unit chief Ganesh Godiyal, former minister Harak Singh Rawat and MLA Pritam Singh were among 50 odd people who were detained.
They, however, were able to submit the memorandum.
Ankita’s father issued a 24-hour ultimatum this morning to the Centre to cancel Gautam’s appointment, warning of a nationwide agitation if the demand was not met.
Addressing a press conference later, he said his wife fell ill after hearing the news of Gautam’s appointment and expressed concern that their daughter would never get justice.
His wife broke down saying nobody would understand their plight.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi wrote to President Murmu saying he was approaching her as a “last resort” to ask the government to reconsider its advice to appoint Gautam as governor.
Gandhi had met Ankita’s parents at India Gate on Wednesday. He attacked the government over their detention, saying the hallmark of this regime is to silence the voices of the victims and remove those who ask questions.
Ankita, who worked as a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh, was killed on September 18, 2022. Resort owner Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, and two accomplices were convicted in the case and sentenced to life imprisonment.
The case drew political attention over allegations that an unidentified VIP was linked to the crime. Ankita’s family and activists have called for an investigation into this angle, with Gautam’s name being raised in connection with the allegations.
Gautam has denied the allegations and initiated defamation proceedings against those making them.
In his letter to the president, Gandhi said that no criminal proceedings can be instituted or continued against a governor and appointing Gautam as governor places him “out of reach” of the CBI, which is probing the case.
“… An inquiry that can never result in prosecution is an inquiry in name only. A Governor must command the trust of the people of his State. No one under this shadow can,” he wrote.
“I know that Governors are appointed on the advice of the Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister. PM Modi has proved his utter disregard for women’s safety by advising Mr. Gautam’s appointment. However, by long convention, the President has the right to warn the government, and Article 74(1) gives you the power to ask for advice to be reconsidered. That is why I write to you, as a last resort,” Gandhi told the president.
Social activist Yogita Bhayana said Ankita’s parents did not want to associate their protest with any political party and had not called on anyone to join them, but those who wished to support them were welcome.
Uttarakand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami hit out at the Congress, saying people can very well understand that the party only wants to do politics by raising the Ankita Bhandari issue, while “we want a solution for this case”.
“From the first day, we have ensured that strict police action is taken in this case. I met Ankita Bhandari’s parents who demanded a CBI enquiry, and it is underway. It is because of the action taken by the administration and police that the courts have given the accused life imprisonment,” he said.
State BJP president Mahendra Bhatt accused Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra of hypocrisy saying they are providing protection to an MP and former JNU professor accused of sexual exploitation while simultaneously committing the “sin of insulting Devbhoomi” through shameful political maneuvering over the death of a daughter of the land.
“The actions of Rahul, Priyanka, and their Delhi-based Congress associates have once again exposed their duplicitous and hypocritical political nature,” he said.
Additional Director General of Police (Crime and Law & Order) V Murugesan said the police acted with promptness and were able to arrest all the three accused within a day of the incident coming to light.
They are now serving their life sentences, he added.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of carrying out “state-sponsored oppression”, saying it is not a sign of strength, but rather proof of its attempt to evade difficult questions.
The Congress will continue to fight to ensure justice for Bhandari, he asserted.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also lashed out at the government, asking whether it has completely abandoned its duty of accountability that it now relies on detention to silence those who demand it.
(PTI News)
