As Ankita Bhandari case gains momentum, Uttarakhand minister’s jibe – ‘Present evidence’

Uniyal said that the entire state was “anguished by what happened to the young woman”. “Taking the matter with sensitivity and seriousness, the Dhami government immediately constituted a Special Investigation Team under the leadership of a woman DIG and arrested the accused,” he said.

He further said: “All forensic and circumstantial evidence was collected, and the case was strongly argued before the court. With the consent of the victim’s family, the proceedings were conducted in such a manner that the accused were not even granted bail. Based on this, the convicts were awarded life imprisonment.”

As protests and demands seeking a CBI enquiry continue, he said: “Those making allegations on social media should come forward and present evidence. The government would ensure their security. If anyone possesses concrete evidence, they should submit it to the investigating agency. If even a shred of truth is found, the government is prepared for investigation.”

Uttarakhand has been rocked by a fresh set of allegations in the Bhandari murder case after former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore’s wife, Urmila Sanawar, claimed that a VIP who sought sexual favours from Bhandari was a senior leader called “Gattu”.

She released an audio clip in which Rathore purportedly identifies the VIPs as BJP national general secretary Dushyant Gautam and another senior party leader. Rathore later claimed the clip was AI-generated and accused Sanawar of defaming the party. Gautam has denied any role in the incident.

Bhandari was allegedly killed by the manager of the Vanantara resort, Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya. The body of the 19-year-old was recovered from a canal in Rishikesh on September 24, 2022 — six days after she was reported missing.

Vinod Arya was expelled from the party following the murder in 2022. WhatsApp chats had indicated that she was under pressure to render sexual favours.

Regarding pleas seeking further inquiry in courts, Uniyal claimed that the trial court, the Uttarakhand High Court, and the Supreme Court all upheld the SIT’s investigation as proper and competent, and refused any further inquiry.

“All three courts concluded that there was no attempt to protect any VIP and that no VIP involvement was found during the investigation. The case was argued in the trial court by a Special Public Prosecutor appointed as per the wishes of the victim’s family, and no objection was raised by them regarding VIP involvement or the investigation,” he alleged.

On Gautam’s name being mentioned, he said that, without any evidence, it appears to be aimed at causing personal harm to them.

Responding to Uniyal’s statements, Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni said that the onus lies on the government to probe these allegations.

“Why are there a government and agencies if the people have to bring evidence to them? How can the government hold the general public responsible for allegations made by their own leader’s wife? It is hilarious that they demand evidence from the public,” she said.

Stating that there have been several loopholes in the probe, Dasauni said that when allegations point to senior BJP leaders, it is the party’s responsibility to provide clarity. “Trivendra Rawat and Vijaya Barthwal have sought an investigation. They should listen to their own leaders and not question the public that demands truth,” she added.

A protest has been planned on January 4 by civil society members and opposition parties in front of the Chief Minister’s residence.