Uttarakhand – The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case on Monday concerning the alleged murder investigation that has gripped Uttarakhand since 2022. The Ankita Bhandari case, which initially sparked massive public outrage, has now been transferred from state police to central investigative authorities following mounting pressure and allegations of high-level involvement.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recommended the CBI inquiry after the deceased receptionist’s parents demanded a thorough investigation under Supreme Court supervision. The transfer marks a significant development in a case that has remained controversial despite the conviction of three accused individuals to life imprisonment.
The Original Incident and Investigation
The Ankita Bhandari case originated in September 2022 when the 19-year-old receptionist working at Vanantara Resort in Pauri, Uttarakhand, was murdered under circumstances that shocked the nation. Her body was recovered from the Chilla canal in Rishikesh on September 24, 2022, triggering immediate public outcry and demands for justice.
A special investigation team was promptly formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. The primary accused in the Ankita Bhandari case was Pulkit Arya, the resort owner and son of an expelled BJP leader, who was arrested along with two of his employees. The investigation revealed disturbing details about the events leading to her murder.
Post-Mortem Findings and Motive
The post-mortem report in the Ankita Bhandari case established drowning as the cause of death. Medical examination revealed the presence of four to five antemortem injuries on her body, indicating she sustained injuries before her death. Significantly, the report ruled out sexual assault, though the circumstances of her murder remained deeply troubling.
Investigators determined that the Ankita Bhandari case centered on her alleged refusal to yield to pressure from the accused. She was reportedly asked to offer “extra services” to a VIP visitor at the resort, a demand she refused. This refusal allegedly led to the fatal confrontation that resulted in her murder, highlighting serious issues of workplace exploitation and criminal coercion.
VIP Involvement Allegations Emerge
The Ankita Bhandari case gained renewed attention when actress Urmila Sanawar, who identifies herself as the wife of a legislator, made explosive allegations about VIP involvement in the murder. Sanawar released videos and audio recordings on social media platforms, claiming these materials captured conversations with an MLA and pointed to the role of a powerful figure in the crime.
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These revelations transformed the Ankita Bhandari case from a straightforward murder investigation into a potential conspiracy involving influential individuals. In a letter demanding CBI intervention, Ankita’s father explicitly stated that his daughter was murdered because of a “VIP” whose identity remained unknown despite the initial investigation and convictions.
Public Pressure and Political Response
Growing demands for a comprehensive CBI probe into the Ankita Bhandari case culminated in significant public demonstrations. On January 4, workers from Congress, the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, Mahila Manch, leftist parties, and various other organizations gathered at the Parade Ground before marching toward the chief minister’s residence.
The protesters specifically demanded that the Ankita Bhandari case be transferred to the CBI to disclose the identity of the alleged VIP involved in the crime. Their insistence reflected widespread skepticism about whether the full truth had emerged from the initial state police investigation, despite the life sentences handed to three accused individuals.
Government Action and New Investigation
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami responded to mounting pressure by addressing the new allegations surrounding the Ankita Bhandari case. He announced that separate FIRs had been registered regarding the video and audio clips circulating on social media. Dhami confirmed that investigations into these materials were underway, suggesting authorities were taking the new allegations seriously.
The decision to transfer the Ankita Bhandari case to the CBI represents acknowledgment that questions remained unanswered. The recommendation for Supreme Court supervision indicates the sensitivity of the investigation and the need for transparency in uncovering any additional conspirators or influential figures who may have been involved.
Implications for Justice
The CBI’s takeover of the Ankita Bhandari case signals a new phase in the pursuit of complete justice for the murdered receptionist. While three individuals already serve life sentences for their direct roles in the crime, the investigation now focuses on determining whether others, potentially including powerful political or social figures, bear responsibility for her death.
The Ankita Bhandari case has become emblematic of broader concerns about workplace safety, exploitation of young workers, and the potential for influential individuals to escape accountability. The CBI investigation will examine all aspects of the original crime while exploring the allegations of VIP involvement that have emerged through recent revelations.
As the central investigative agency begins its work on the Ankita Bhandari case, the victim’s family and supporters across Uttarakhand await answers that have eluded them since 2022, hoping that comprehensive federal investigation will finally reveal the complete truth behind this tragic murder.
