Ankita Bhandari case
NEW DELHI: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday recommended a CBI probe into the Ankita Bhandari murder case, amid renewed protests demanding justice for the 19-year-old receptionist who was murdered in 2022.The chief minister, after meeting her parents, announced his recommendation for an inquiry by the central agency.“We thought her parents were the most affected, and we should certainly hear them. I spoke with them, and they expressed that there should be a CBI investigation. Honouring this, we are recommending a CBI probe,” Dhami stated.He stressed that his government’s objective has always been — and would continue to be — to ensure justice “in a fair, transparent, and sensitive manner.”The BJP leader also recalled how his government has handled the matter.“We acted without any delay, with complete sensitivity and impartiality. Considering the seriousness of the case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was immediately constituted under the leadership of a woman IPS officer. All accused were promptly arrested and, due to strong legal prosecution, were never granted bail during the investigation and trial. After a thorough investigation by the SIT, charge sheets were filed, and upon completion of the hearing, the trial court awarded life imprisonment to all three accused,” Dhami said.In May 2025, the court convicted Pulkit Arya, son of expelled state BJP leader and former minister Vinod Arya. Pulkit owned the Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh, where Bhandari worked, and two of his associates were also found guilty.Though the trio was convicted, it has been repeatedly alleged that Bhandari was murdered after she refused to “serve” a “VIP.”The latest protests erupted following the emergence of the alleged “VIP”’s name, though police have denied that any such person was involved in the matter.
