Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary Dushyant Gautam has initiated significant legal action, filing a defamation petition seeking Rs 2 crore in damages from the Congress party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), actress Urmila Sanawar, and several social media entities. The move comes in response to allegations linking him to the high-profile 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case.
The Core of the Defamation Allegations
Gautam's petition, filed in court, contends that the defendants conspired to falsely portray him as the mysterious "VIP" referenced in the tragic case. The controversy reignited in late December 2025, when Urmila Sanawar, wife of former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore, uploaded audio and video clips on social media. These clips contained a purported call recording where Gautam's name was allegedly connected to the case.
Following Sanawar's posts, opposition parties, including the Congress and AAP, amplified the accusations. They publicly demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Gautam's alleged involvement. The plea states that this led to widespread publication of the claim across digital and print media, severely damaging his reputation.
Legal Actions and Police Complaint
Beyond the civil defamation suit, Dushyant Gautam has also taken the matter to the police. On Monday, January 5, 2026, he filed a formal complaint at Dehradun's Dalanwala police station against Urmila Sanawar, Suresh Rathore, the Congress, and the AAP.
The police complaint invokes sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act, including Sections 66E and 66D, along with defamation charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Gautam alleged that the "false audio and video clips are being deliberately spread" to defame him, tarnish the BJP's image, provoke the public, and disturb peace in Uttarakhand and the country.
Background: The Ankita Bhandari Case
The legal battle stems from the horrific murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari in September 2022. Bhandari, who worked as a receptionist at a resort in Uttarakhand, was killed by the resort's manager, Pulkit Arya. The crime was allegedly committed after she refused to provide sexual favours to a guest, who was widely rumoured to be a "VIP." The case triggered massive public outrage and prolonged protests across the state, with continuous demands for a CBI investigation.
In his petition, Gautam emphasized that despite him filing police reports (FIRs) and issuing clarifications, the defendants continued to share and promote the damaging content without any correction, withdrawal, or apology. He also questioned Sanawar's credibility, citing her "chequered criminal antecedent."
The defendants named in the defamation suit include Congress's Uttarakhand chief Ganesh Godiyal, the AAP, specific social media handles like 'PM Nehru' and 'Mohitlaws', and technology platforms Meta, Google, and X (formerly Twitter). The outcome of this case is poised to have significant political ramifications in Uttarakhand, where the quest for justice for Ankita Bhandari remains a deeply sensitive public issue.
