In a bold call for justice, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has urged that the investigation into the tragic murder of Ankita Bhandari be placed under the direct supervision of a Supreme Court judge. The 19-year-old receptionist at a resort in Rishikesh was allegedly killed by the establishment’s owner and staff in September 2022, sparking widespread outrage across the nation.
Rawat’s statement comes amid growing concerns over the pace and transparency of the ongoing probe. ‘The Ankita Bhandari case demands the highest level of scrutiny,’ he declared during a press briefing in Dehradun. He pointed to repeated delays, alleged evidence tampering, and political interference as reasons why a sitting Supreme Court judge must oversee the Special Investigation Team (SIT) handling the matter.
The case first grabbed headlines when Ankita’s body was recovered from a canal near the resort owned by Pulkit Arya, son of a BJP leader. Arya, along with two employees, surrendered to authorities and confessed to pushing her off a cliff after a heated altercation. Despite these confessions, Rawat alleges that crucial evidence, including CCTV footage, has mysteriously vanished, fueling suspicions of a cover-up.
Uttarakhand’s political landscape has been rocked by this incident, with opposition leaders accusing the BJP government of shielding influential figures. Rawat, a prominent Congress figure, emphasized that only Supreme Court intervention can restore public faith. ‘This isn’t just about one girl’s murder; it’s about the rule of law in our state,’ he added.
As protests continue and families demand swift justice, Rawat’s demand resonates with many. The Uttarakhand High Court has already pulled up the SIT for lapses, transferring the case to a new team earlier this year. However, without apex court oversight, doubts persist. Will the government heed this call, or will the shadows of influence continue to loom large over Ankita’s quest for justice?