By Mukesh 
Opposition parties, led by the Congress, staged protests across Uttarakhand on Thursday (May 7, 2026) over the alleged gang rape of a 16-year-old Class 10 student in Champawat, accusing the BJP government of failing to ensure women’s safety and alleging links between the accused and the ruling party. Police gave clean chit to accused citing ‘conspiracy’ which is under investigation.
In Dehradun, Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni led a protest at Yamuna Colony, where demonstrators burnt an effigy of the State government. She alleged that women and girls were unsafe under the BJP regime.
Youth Congress leader Ritesh Chhetri said the incident had once again “shamed Devbhoomi”, drawing parallels with the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case. He noted that the alleged crime took place in Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s constituency and questioned the state of women’s safety in Uttarakhand.
Protests were also held by Suraj Seva Dal in Dehradun, while activists and civil rights groups organised rallies in Srinagar (Pauri Garhwal). Demonstrations were also reported from Bageshwar and Uttarkashi.
The Opposition cited earlier cases involving BJP functionaries. In September 2024, BJP leader Mukesh Bora was booked for allegedly exploiting a woman on the promise of a permanent job. In June 2024, BJP OBC Morcha leader Aditya Raj Saini was expelled from the party after being booked in a gang rape and murder case involving a 13-year-old girl in Haridwar.
BJP spokesperson could not be contacted for reaction.
According to the police, the survivor of Champwat case had gone to attend a friend’s mehndi ceremony on May 5 when she was allegedly assaulted by three persons. Her family has named a BJP local circle vice-president, a former village head, and a student in the FIR. The complaint alleged that the girl was confined in a room with her hands and feet tied after the assault. She later contacted her family around 1:30 a.m., after which villagers informed the police. Authorities subsequently rescued her.
Champawat SSP Rekha Yadav on Thursday (May 7, 2026) held a press conference and stated that investigations found ‘conspiracy’ to frame the named accused.
“Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to investigate the case. Medical examination reportedly found no clear external or internal injuries, signs of struggle, or evidence of force. Statements of some witnesses did not match technical and circumstantial evidence, raising doubts about the alleged sequence of events,” said the SSP.
She added that the named persons, Vinod Singh Rawat, Naveen Singh Rawat, and Pooran Singh Rawat, were not found to be present at the scene during the alleged incident. Witness statements and technical evidence allegedly confirmed their absence.