India News Highlights, 15 October 2026: Rahul Gandhi writes to President Murmu over Dushyant Gautam’s appointment, cites Bhandari case

Gandhi said many people, including Ankita’s family, believed Gautam was connected to the case and questioned his appointment as Governor while the CBI investigation was underway.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to President Droupadi Murmu seeking her intervention in the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim Governor, citing the ongoing investigation into the 2022 murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari. Sharing his letter to the President on X, Gandhi alleged that Ankita had refused to compromise her dignity for a VIP, which led to her murder, and questioned the identity of the alleged VIP.

“Ankita Bhandari, aged 19, refused to compromise her dignity for a VIP, which led to her murder. Even four years later, due to the CBI’s sluggish investigation, the question remains: who was that VIP?” Gandhi wrote.

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Gandhi said many people, including Ankita’s family, believed Gautam was connected to the case and questioned his appointment as Governor while the CBI investigation was underway.

“By advising the appointment of Dushyant Gautam, Prime Minister Modi has proven that he has absolutely no concern for women’s safety,” Gandhi alleged.

He appealed to President Murmu to advise the government to reconsider the appointment and not allow Gautam to assume office until the investigation is completed. Gautam has denied the allegations against him, while the alleged VIP angle in the case remains under investigation.

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