A special investigation team has been formed to investigate the murder of former BJP minister’s daughter Ankita Bhandari in Uttarakhand
Ankita Bhandari’s body was recovered from a canal in Uttarakhand’s Rishikesh on Saturday, and locals set fire to the resort where she worked. It was owned by Pulkit Arya, the son of former Uttarakhand BJP minister Vinod Arya, who is charged with the teenager’s murder. Over the incident, Vinod Arya was expelled from the BJP.
Locals broke glasses and tried to torch a pickle factory on the resort’s grounds in violent protests surrounding the resort.
Renu Bisht, BJP’s Yamkeshwar MLA, was also attacked near the Cheela canal near Rishikesh, where her body was recovered six days after her parents found her missing. In the end, the angry crowds only broke her car’s rear windscreen and police escorted Bisht to safety.
#AnkitaBhandari murder case | Locals set Vanatara resort in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand on fire.
The resort is owned by BJP leader Vinod Arya’s son Pulkit Arya. Three accused, including Pulkit, have been arrested in connection with the murder case. pic.twitter.com/FpPIoioC4f
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) September 24, 2022
As Director General of Police Ashok Kumar said, Bhandari was under pressure from Pulkit Arya – who was arrested on Friday with resort manager Saurabh Bhaskar and assistant manager Ankit Gupta – to provide “special services” to guests.
Bhandari’s Facebook friend said she was killed because she wouldn’t have sex with guests as requested by the resort’s owner earlier in the day.
Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister, promised no one would be spared, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Deputy Inspector General Renuka Devi will investigate all aspects of the incident.
The incident is tragic. Our daughter has been the victim of a heinous crime. In this case, action is being taken against those involved. BJP members Pulkit Arya’s father and brother have been expelled,” Dhami told reporters.
A resort owned by the main accused is being demolished. There have also been seals on some of its rooms to prevent evidence from being destroyed. “We have also ordered the demolition of all resorts built illegally on government or forest land,” he said.
On Saturday, Congress members protested at district headquarters across the state due to the vulnerability of women there.
The girl went missing on September 18 and an FIR was filed four days later, said Pradesh Congress Committee president Karan Mahra. The state government doesn’t seem to be serious about its actions. Mahra says women aren’t safe in Uttarakhand.
“The state government’s action is just an eyewash. Only part of the resort has been demolished. “It may also be an attempt to destroy evidence,” said Congress leader Garima Dhasauni.
The matter was transferred on Thursday from revenue police to regular police, and the accused were sent behind bars within 24 hours, DGP Kumar said.
