Nearly three years after the tragic murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari, a court in Uttarakhand has delivered its verdict, sentencing all three accused, to life imprisonment.
Ankita worked as a receptionist at a resort run by Pulkit Arya, the son of expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vinod Arya. Pulkit was arrested for allegedly pushing her into the canal following an altercation.
Besides Pulkit, two more people, Ankit Gupta and Saurabh Bhaskar, were arrested as well in the case. All three were charged with murder, destruction of evidence, and immoral trafficking, Assistant District Government Advocate Jitendra Rawat said.
Here's a breakdown of the case and the latest updates:
Life Imprisonment for All Accused
A local court convicted Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, and Ankit Gupta, sentencing them to life imprisonment for the murder of Ankita Bhandari, who was killed in September 2022 while working at a private resort in Rishikesh.
Brutal Crime Behind the Verdict
Ankita was allegedly killed after resisting pressure to provide "special services" to VIP guests at Vanantra Resort. She was assaulted and later pushed into a canal where she drowned.
Political Links to the Accused
Pulkit Arya is the son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya. The political connection triggered widespread anger and demands for impartial investigation.
Strong Charges Framed
The trio was found guilty under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 354 (assault with intent to outrage modesty), and 120B (criminal conspiracy). A 500-page chargesheet was submitted by the prosecution. Testimony from 47 witnesses, including a hotel staffer who claimed Ankita cried for help on the night of the incident, played a key role.
Family Demands Death Penalty
Ankita바카라s mother expressed dissatisfaction with the life sentence, demanding the death penalty, and stating that 바카라those who killed her daughter should not be spared.바카라
The case led to protests across Uttarakhand. BJP faced criticism over its handling of the matter, especially after a resort demolition raised concerns about evidence destruction.
Controversial Resort Demolition
The Vanantra Resort, where Ankita worked, was demolished shortly after the murder under orders from BJP MLA Renu Bisht. Critics allege this move was aimed at destroying crucial evidence.
