New Delhi- More than three years after the murder of Ankita Bhandari, protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar on Sunday to renew demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case, alleging that crucial questions around alleged “VIP involvement” remain unanswered.

The protest, organised as a Jantar Mantar dharna–pradarshan, brought together student groups, political workers, and rights activists, who said the case had come to symbolise the failure of institutions to deliver justice when power and influence are involved. Large banners at the site demanded that the case be reopened and investigated afresh by the CBI.

Throughout the afternoon, protesters raised slogans such as “We want justice”, “Ankita beti, humein maaf karna”, “Modi sarkar jawab do”, and “Amit Shah, ab kahan ho?”, directly addressing the Union government and calling for accountability. Several placards questioned why the identity of the alleged “VIP” mentioned during early stages of the investigation has never been officially disclosed.

Among those present was the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), which reiterated its long-standing demand for an independent probe. Party members said the Ankita Bhandari case reflected a broader pattern where crimes involving politically connected individuals often see delayed or diluted investigations, particularly when victims come from working-class backgrounds.

Student groups from Delhi University also participated in the protest. Ahana, a student activist from DU, told The Mooknayak that public pressure remained the only way to prevent the case from being forgotten.

“We are demanding that the CBI reopen the Ankita Bhandari case. There are serious unanswered questions about VIP involvement that the state investigation failed to address. The family deserves justice, and the truth needs to come out,” she said.

Visuals from the protest included portraits of Ankita decorated with flowers, while speakers addressed the gathering from a temporary stage. Protest songs and poems invoking justice, dignity, and resistance were performed, adding to the sombre but determined atmosphere. Police personnel were deployed in the area to manage the gathering, which remained peaceful throughout.

Speakers at the protest criticised what they described as procedural lapses in the original investigation, including the destruction of the resort linked to the case, and said these developments further strengthened the demand for a fresh probe under a central agency. Organisers said January 4 was chosen deliberately to mark the continued passage of time since the crime, highlighting how justice for Ankita remains elusive.

The protest came in the wake of TV actress Urmila Sanawar, who, in a series of viral videos posted on December 28, 2025, alleged the involvement of BJP national general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam in the Ankita Bhandari case. In the videos, Sanawar also claimed that she feared for her life after making the allegations. Police later summoned her for questioning, while the accused leaders have denied the claims.

Meanwhile, as of January 5, 2026, Uttarakhand is set to witness a statewide shutdown on January 11, called in solidarity with the case and to demand accountability from the government.

For many at Jantar Mantar, Ankita Bhandari’s case is no longer just about one crime, it has become a test of whether India’s justice system can confront power and deliver justice without fear or favour.