Delhi High Court Orders Takedown of Posts Linking BJP Leader to Ankita Bhandari Murder Case

The Delhi High Court has directed political parties and individuals to remove social media posts that link BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam to the Ankita Bhandari murder case, citing concerns over defamatory content.

In an interim order passed on January 7, the court instructed the Indian National Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party, and others to take down the posts within 24 hours. The court also restrained them from publishing or circulating any further material portraying the BJP national secretary as an alleged “VIP” linked to the case.

The order was issued in response to a defamation suit filed by Gautam, in which he argued that the posts and videos circulating online had caused serious reputational harm. The court observed that a prima facie case had been made and noted that failure to grant interim relief could result in irreparable injury.

The restraint order also applies to other individuals and entities, including Urmila Sanawar and the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee. The controversy gained traction after a video and an alleged audio clip circulated on social media, in which claims were made linking a person referred to as “Gattu” to the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari.

Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old resort receptionist, was killed in 2022 after allegedly resisting sexual advances. In the case, the resort owner and two employees were arrested and later sentenced to life imprisonment by a sessions court. While reiterating that the matter is sub judice, the High Court emphasised that unverified and defamatory allegations circulated online can have lasting consequences, particularly when they involve serious criminal cases. The court said the interim restraint was necessary to prevent further damage until the suit is fully heard.