Congress Stages Massive Protest In Dehradun Against Appointment Of Dushyant Gautam As Sikkim Governor – FIR Against Harish Rawat, 30 Others
Dehradun, Oct 16: High-voltage drama was witnessed outside Lok Bhavan in Dehradun on Tuesday as top Congress leadership held a large demonstration demanding revocation of the order appointing Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Governor of Sikkim.
The protest was led by AICC in-charge for Uttarakhand Kumari Selja, former CM Harish Rawat, PCC President Ganesh Godiyal, former minister Dr. Harak Singh Rawat, former PCC chief Pritam Singh and other senior leaders.
Congress leaders climbed over barricades attempting to enter Lok Bhavan and later submitted a memorandum addressed to President Droupadi Murmu demanding reconsideration of Gautam’s appointment.
Congress alleges that Gautam’s name has cropped up as the alleged “VIP” in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. Ankita, 19, receptionist at Vanantara Resort near Rishikesh, was murdered on Sept 18, 2022 after she allegedly refused to provide “special services” to VIP guests. Resort owner Pulkit Arya, son of a former BJP leader, and two employees were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on May 30, 2025.
The unresolved VIP angle is now under CBI probe. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami recommended CBI probe on Jan 9, 2026 after massive public protests. In January 2026, an FIR against an unidentified VIP was registered after viral audio-video clips purportedly of former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore and his second wife Urmila Sanawar naming Gautam went viral.
PCC chief Ganesh Godiyal said:
“Appointing as Governor the VIP explicitly named by Ankita Bhandari’s parents is tantamount to deeply wounding the sentiments of the common people of Uttarakhand. This is a direct attempt to save Gautam as no case can be registered against a Governor. It grants him lifelong immunity.”
Kumari Selja said: “The BJP government has appointed the very VIP whose name is being cited by Ankita’s parents as they plead for justice to a constitutional post like Governor. Ideally CBI investigation should have proceeded rapidly and FIR should have been registered against the named accused, instead he was rewarded.”
Godiyal had earlier observed a one-hour silent fast at Gandhi Park, Dehradun on Tuesday.
Dushyant Gautam, former BJP National General Secretary, former President of SC Morcha, Rajya Sabha MP and former Uttarakhand in-charge, was appointed Governor of Sikkim on October 12 as part of a 6-state reshuffle. He assumed charge on Oct 13.
Gautam has categorically denied all allegations, called it malicious propaganda, and filed a defamation case. He said he would retire from public life if proven guilty.
Uttarakhand Police has maintained there is no VIP involved. Delhi High Court had observed that posts linking Gautam to the case were “prima facie defamatory” and baseless, noting no evidence in FIR or charge sheet.
BJP state media in-charge Manveer Chauhan called the protest political opportunism.
Following the Lok Bhavan protest on Oct 14, an FIR has been registered against Harish Rawat and 30 other Congress leaders for violating prohibitory orders and attempting to breach security. Additional cases have been filed against Ganesh Godiyal, Harak Singh Rawat and Pritam Singh under sections 132 and 223 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The row has now spread beyond Uttarakhand:
– Ankita’s parents staged a dharna near India Gate, Delhi on Wednesday, where Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met them.
– Rahul Gandhi wrote to President Murmu on Oct 15 seeking reconsideration of Gautam’s appointment till CBI completes probe.
– In Sikkim, opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) held candlelight marches under banner “Sikkim Stands With Ankita” demanding cancellation.
– Sikkim University Students’ Association has also urged reconsideration.
