Four years after the murder of Ankitta Bhandari in 2022, her family is still waiting for justice. On Monday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met her parents in Delhi to express solidarity and reiterate his demand for systemic change to address violence against women in India.

Gandhi, who has been vocal about women’s rights, took to X (formerly Twitter) after the meeting and wrote, “India cannot move forward until the inhuman mindset that treats women as objects to be used by men is eradicated.” His statement comes amid rising concerns over gender-based violence in India, where high-profile cases often face delays in legal proceedings.

Ankitta Bhandari, a 25-year-old law student, was allegedly raped and murdered in September 2022 in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun. The case sparked widespread outrage after her family accused local police of botching the investigation and failing to arrest key suspects promptly. The trial has been repeatedly delayed, with the latest hearing scheduled for 12 October 2024.

What happened in the Ankitta Bhandari case?

- 25 September 2022: Ankitta Bhandari, a law student in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, was allegedly raped and murdered.
- Family’s allegations: Her parents claimed police initially refused to file an FIR and later delayed arrests of suspects, including a local businessman.
- Public outrage: Protests erupted across India, with activists demanding swift justice and reforms in police procedures for handling sexual violence cases.
- Legal delays: The trial has faced multiple adjournments. The next hearing is set for 12 October 2024 at the Dehradun District Court.
- Rahul Gandhi’s involvement: The Congress leader has met the family multiple times, including in 2023, to push for accountability.

Why does this case matter now?

This meeting between Gandhi and the Bhandari family comes at a time when India is grappling with over 400,000 reported cases of crimes against women in 2023 alone, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). High-profile cases like this often become symbols of the broader failure to protect women in the country.

Gandhi’s statement on X also highlighted a 2023 survey by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, which ranked India as the most dangerous country for women in terms of sexual violence and human trafficking. While the government has disputed the ranking, activists argue that systemic issues—such as underreporting, slow investigations, and societal attitudes—persist.

What’s next for the Bhandari family?

- The family continues to demand a fast-track court to expedite the trial.
- They have also sought compensation from the Uttarakhand government, which has not yet been finalized.
- Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for how future sexual violence cases are handled in India.

What should you know about women’s safety in India?

- Legal reforms: India’s Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005) and Criminal Law (Amendment) Act (2013) (often called the Nirbhaya Act) were introduced after high-profile gang-rape cases, but implementation remains weak.
- Police response: Studies show that only 27% of rape cases in India result in convictions, largely due to delayed investigations and lack of forensic evidence.
- Societal attitudes: A 2022 survey by Oxfam India found that 65% of men in rural areas believe women provoke violence by their behavior.

What can readers do?

If you’re following this case or similar issues in Pakistan:
- Stay informed: Follow updates from reliable sources like The Hindu, Indian Express, or BBC India for court proceedings.
- Support local NGOs: Organizations like Aangan Trust and Breakthrough India work on gender-based violence prevention.
- Advocate for reforms: Push for stronger implementation of existing laws and faster trials in sexual violence cases.

What to watch next

- 12 October 2024: Next hearing in the Ankitta Bhandari case.
- November 2024: Expected release of India’s NCRB crime data for 2024, which may show trends in gender-based violence.
- Ongoing protests: Activists are planning demonstrations ahead of the 2024 general elections in India, demanding accountability.

This case is a stark reminder that justice delayed is justice denied. For families like the Bhandaris, the wait for closure continues—while the rest of the country moves on.