Ankita Bhandari's parents, picked up at India Gate in the early hours, are released; Rahul Gandhi says the Centre is silencing them
Hindustan Times and The Hindu report that Ankita Bhandari's parents were picked up from their protest at India Gate at about 4 am and released around 5 am. Rahul Gandhi accused the Centre of silencing them and said the hallmark of this government is to silence victims (Hindustan Times). He and Priyanka Gandhi met the parents at India Gate on 14 October. Rahul Gandhi asked the President to reconsider Dushyant Gautam's appointment as Governor because of a pending CBI probe (The Hindu). Uttarakhand Congress protested outside the Governor's house and leaders were detained (The Hindu). A report says the mother threatened a hunger strike.
A murder case has become a fight between the government and the opposition over a constitutional appointment.
No direct effect, unless you are near India Gate, where police presence has been heavy.
The opposition says the parents are being silenced.
We have not seen an official explanation for the early-morning detention in these reports.
Watch whether the Governor's appointment is confirmed and whether the parents begin the hunger strike.
DailyDrop India edition No. 12 · Morning · FRI., OCT. 16, 2026