World · India Bureau
BJP MLA suggests Ankita Bhandari's family reject compensation to pursue justice
A BJP legislator in Uttarakhand has advised the family of slain woman Ankita Bhandari to decline government compensation if they seek justice in the case. The controversial statement has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties.
LSN India ·

Dilip Rawat, a BJP MLA from Uttarakhand, has suggested that the family of Ankita Bhandari reject the state government's compensation package if they wish to pursue full legal remedies in the high-profile case. Rawat's remarks come amid ongoing proceedings related to the death of the 19-year-old resort employee, whose case has drawn significant public attention in the state.
The legislator's statement implies a tension between accepting financial relief and continuing legal action against the accused. His advice to the family has sparked considerable political backlash, with opposition parties seizing on the comments as evidence of insensitivity toward victim support.
The Congress party has responded sharply to Rawat's remarks, accusing the BJP of demonstrating an anti-women stance through such statements. Party leaders argued that the comments reflect a troubling attitude toward women's rights and victim protection within the ruling establishment.
The Bhandari case has remained in the spotlight since the young woman's death at a luxury resort in Uttarakhand, with investigations and legal proceedings continuing. The family's decision regarding compensation and their pursuit of justice through the courts continues to draw attention from political parties across the spectrum.