R. K. Singh Questions Modi Government Over Ankita Bhandari Case and Hardeep Puri-Epstein Row

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By TRH Political Desk

The former Union Home Secretary says unresolved questions in the Uttarakhand murder case and controversy over reported links with Jeffrey Epstein are damaging the government’s credibility and raising concerns over accountability.

New Delhi, October 23, 2026 — Former Union Home Secretary R. K. Singh has criticised the Narendra Modi government over two controversies, arguing that unresolved questions surrounding the Ankita Bhandari murder case in Uttarakhand and the controversy over Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s reported interactions with Jeffrey Epstein are affecting public confidence in the government.

In a video statement, Singh said a government’s authority depended on its reputation for integrity, justice and public welfare. “Governance runs on credibility,” he said, arguing that force alone could not sustain public confidence in the administration.

Ankita Bhandari case: Questions over VIP accountability

Singh referred to the murder of Ankita Bhandari, a young woman from a modest family who worked at a hotel in Uttarakhand after her father reportedly lost his job as a security guard.

According to Singh’s account, Bhandari faced pressure to provide services to VIP guests, including alleged sexual demands, which she refused. He alleged that she was subsequently murdered and that her parents initially struggled to get the police to register their complaint.

While people accused in connection with the murder were arrested and convicted, Singh questioned why the alleged VIP whose identity has remained a subject of public debate had not faced comparable scrutiny.

He referred to demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and alleged that concerns had been raised about protecting a politically influential person. Singh also questioned the reported appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Gautam as a governor, arguing that any such appointment should not pre-empt or undermine demands for a fair investigation.

Singh also criticised Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami over the alleged filing of a case against a journalist who had raised questions about the matter. He demanded accountability for police officials if they had improperly handled the original complaint.

Hardeep Puri and Epstein controversy

In the second part of his statement, Singh addressed renewed social media discussion concerning Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sex offences and faced federal sex-trafficking charges involving minors.

Singh referred to reports of email exchanges, meetings and a photograph involving Puri and Epstein. He questioned Puri’s earlier explanation that he had met Epstein as part of a delegation, saying the photograph had fuelled further questions about the nature of their interaction.

Singh said he did not believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi was necessarily involved in the allegations circulating online. However, he argued that the government should issue a clear response to speculation suggesting that senior political figures could be vulnerable to pressure or blackmail.

He urged the government to address the questions publicly, saying persistent controversies surrounding senior officials could damage its credibility.

Singh’s central argument was that public trust depended on transparent investigations, institutional accountability and clear explanations from those in positions of authority. He said the government’s image would suffer if concerns raised by citizens and journalists were dismissed rather than addressed.