Uttarakhand Police have made extensive preparations to maintain law and order in light of a statewide bandh called by various organisations on Sunday, demanding a fresh investigation into the Ankita Bhandari murder case.
Additional police personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure that citizens are not inconvenienced.
In 2022, Ankita Bhandari, an employee at a BJP leader's resort in Uttarakhand, was murdered after refusing to provide immoral services. BJP leaders destroyed evidence and no action was taken till now,@LambaAlka jipic.twitter.com/y7lT3xt4i3
— Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress (@KarnatakaPMC) January 10, 2026
The Opposition Congress has extended support to the bandh, accusing the government of attempting to protect certain “VIPs” in the case.
"This is part of an ongoing struggle. Until the government conducts a CBI investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court and the oversight of a Supreme Court judge, we will continue to demand it and keep fighting. Investigating this murder and its various aspects is essential," Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat told ANI.
The state government has already recommended a CBI investigation into the case.
What’s the case about?
Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old resort receptionist at Pauri's Vanantra Resort, was murdered by its owner, Pulkit Arya, the son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, and two of his employees. All three were sentenced to life imprisonment in the case.
Recently, Urmila Sanawar, an actress who claims to be the wife of MLA Suresh Rathore, alleged the involvement of a 'VIP' in the murder. She released videos and audio recordings of her conversations, purportedly with Rathore, alleging the involvement of a 'VIP' in the Ankita Bhandari case.
The state has been witnessing protests and demonstrations since then, demanding a fresh investigation by the CBI into the incident.
On Saturday, expelled BJP leader Suresh Rathore appeared before the SIT and he was questioned for over six hours, police said.
Rathore, a former BJP MLA from Jwalapur constituency in Haridwar, appeared before the SIT after the Uttarakhand High Court granted him protection from arrest. |
