Appointment of Dushyant Gautam as Governor meant to shield a ‘VIP’ in Ankita Bhandari case: Opposition

Appointment of Dushyant Gautam as Governor meant to shield a ‘VIP’ in Ankita Bhandari case: Opposition

Dehradun, Oct 13

The appointment of senior BJP and RSS leader Dushyant Gautam as Governor of Sikkim by the Narendra Modi government has it’s echo in Uttarakhand where he was general secretary incharge of the ruling BJP. Protests by the opposition parties have started on his appointment which they consider as an attempt by the ruling BJP to save from any action against him in the Ankita Bhandari murder case.

The father of Ankita Bhandari was the first to condemn his appointment as Governor by the ruling party to provide him immunity from any legal action in the murder of his daughter. There were allegations that Ankita was murdered by the owner of the resort where she was employed for her refusal to provide “special services’ to VIP client. The allegations were further substantiated following charges by a women who called herself as the second wife of a former BJP legislator that ‘Gattu” was the ‘VIP’. In BJP circles Dushyant Gautam was known as ‘Gattu’.

Following the revelations, there was an uproar across the state with political parties, social and civil organisations demanding a CBI inquiry into her murder. Bowing to the public pressure, Uttarakhand Chief Minister ordered a CBI probe into the murder last year but since then nothing concrete has happened. The appointment of Dushyant Gautam has led to protests and condemnations.

The Uttarakhand State Congress Committee, led by State Congress President  Ganesh Godiyal, organized a silent fast and ‘Satyagraha’ today at Dehradun’s historic Gandhi Park. The event was held to protest the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of Sikkim—amidst allegations linking him to the Ankita Bhandari murder case—and to raise questions regarding the alleged role of a “VVIP” in the incident. A large number of Congress office-bearers and workers participated in the silent fast, demanding justice for Ankita Bhandari and an expedited CBI investigation into the alleged VVIP’s role in the murder.

Godiyal noted that although the government had announced an impartial CBI inquiry into the allegations surrounding the VVIP’s role in the case, the investigation has not progressed a single step forward. He asserted that it is the government’s responsibility to reveal the truth regarding the VVIP’s involvement to the public. He further stated that the decision to appoint BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the Governor of a constitutionally significant state like Sikkim has raised numerous questions in the minds of the people. He clarified that while the veracity of allegations against any individual should be determined through an impartial investigation and the judicial process, the government also bears a moral obligation to respond to serious allegations and public queries. However, the BJP government does not want the incoming government to be able to take any legal action against Dushyant Kumar Gautam; that is why he has been appointed to a constitutional post like that of a Governor.

The State Congress President remarked that while the Bharatiya Janata Party government champions the slogan “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter), it simultaneously continues to ignore the voices demanding justice for Ankita Bhandari, a daughter of Uttarakhand. He questioned what compulsion is preventing the government from conducting an impartial investigation into the alleged role of a “VVIP” in the case. He stated that the people of Uttarakhand want to know when they will receive answers to the various questions surrounding the Ankita Bhandari murder case and when the full truth of the matter will be revealed.

Meanwhile, the state unit of Socialist unity Centre of India ( SUCI) (C) has also condemned the BJP government’s decision to appoint Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Governor of Sikkim. Dr. Mukesh Semwal, SUCI(C) Uttarakhand Coordinator, said the move gives constitutional immunity under Article 361 of Indian Constitution to a BJP RSS leader whom Ankita Bhandari’s parents named as the “VIP” linked to her murder.

“This appointment is not an honor. It is a shield, which would blocks investigation and denies justice to Uttarakhand’s daughter.”  Article 361 of indian constitution clearly means that “A Governor has immunity from legal liability for official and personal acts during their term. No court can hold a Governor accountable for official duties, and no criminal proceedings can be started against them. A Governor cannot be arrested or imprisoned while in office.”

Article 361 has been grossly misused earlier by BJP government the most notably cases are….. Vyapam scam (2015): The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that Governor Ram Naresh Yadav could not be prosecuted while in office.  Babri Masjid case (2017): The Supreme Court held that Kalyan Singh, as Governor of Rajasthan, could not be prosecuted until his term ended.

In September 2022, 19-year-old receptionist Ankita Bhandari was murdered after refusing to provide “special services” to a VIP at a resort owned by Pulkit Arya, son of a former BJP politician. The demolition of key resort rooms caused widespread anger and a statewide movement demanding a court-monitored CBI probe.  The people of Uttarakhand feels that such appointment fully  exposes the hypocrisy of the BJP’s “Beti Bachao” slogan.

SUCI(C) demanded that Article 361 not be used as a safe haven for politicians, and calls for a free and independent probe in this fight for justice for Ankita Bhandari case.