Hours after announcement of CBI probe, FIR against ‘VIP’ in Ankita Bhandari murder case

On Friday, a communication from the Chief Minister’s Office said that “respecting the request and sentiments of the parents of Ankita Bhandari, (the CM) has approved the recommendation for a CBI investigation into the case”.

Bhandari was a 19-year-old receptionist working at the Vanantara resort in Rishikesh when she was killed by the resort’s manager, Pulkit Arya, the son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya. Her body was found six days after she went missing, less than a month after she joined the resort.

IG Garhwal, Rajeev Swaroop, said that further action will be based on the FIR registered at Vasant Vihar police station.

“Many allegations and rumours are being levelled and circulated regarding the murder of Ankita. As a result, the CM spoke with the parents, and they demanded a CBI probe. The CM directed us to initiate the process. The FIR registered on Saturday has been sent to the PHQ (police headquarters), which will be sent to the secretariat and later forwarded to the central government for the CBI to investigate,” IG Swaroop said. He further said: “Since the first day, the CM has asked us to work proactively. The SIT, helmed by a woman officer, probed the matter thoroughly. The accused were convicted with a harsh punishment. The police and government have ensured that justice is served. However, allegations have resurfaced… The CM has directed that the matter be taken up to the higher levels”.

In the complaint, Joshi said that with audio and video clips circulating on social media, allegations are being made that certain unknown individuals, being referred to as “VIPs”, are involved in the offence connected to the Ankita Bhandari murder case. “Although the accused involved in the Ankita Bhandari murder case have already been punished, it is being claimed on social media and other platforms that certain pieces of evidence in the case were concealed or destroyed,” Joshi said.

He added: “Therefore, to ensure complete justice, it is necessary that this independent offence, allegedly involving the unidentified ‘VIP’ individuals, be investigated. Since the entire matter relates to these unidentified ‘VIPs’, a separate, independent and impartial investigation is required to bring the facts to light”.

Reacting to this, Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana said that the BJP government is resorting to erratic actions.

“Even after recommending a CBI probe, preparations have simultaneously begun to shield the alleged VIPs. The first step in this direction is the FIR filed by Padma Bhushan awardee Dr Anil Prakash Joshi, on which the investigation will be conducted by the CBI,” Dhasmana said.

There was no need for this new FIR, “as the Ankita Bhandari case is governed by the original FIR that was initially registered at Laxmanjhula police station”, he said.

“That FIR was investigated, followed by the filing of a chargesheet, and a trial was conducted in the Sessions Court at Kotdwar, culminating in the conviction of three accused,” he said.

If the Centre accepted the recommendation for a CBI probe and issues orders accordingly, the CBI would seek permission from the Sessions Court in Kotdwar for further investigation and obtain all case-related documents that are presently before the court, he said. “However, from the statement of the IG, Garhwal, it appears that instead of following this established legal process, the CBI may proceed with the investigation on the basis of this new FIR filed by Dr Anil Prakash Joshi,” he added.

CPI(ML) state secretary Indresh Maikhuri said that instead of getting an FIR registered by Ankita Bhandari’s family, having an FIR lodged by Anil Prakash Joshi raises serious doubts about the intentions of the Uttarakhand government.

“Anil Prakash Joshi has never had any role in this case and is generally known for his pro-government stance. This leads to the suspicion that the Uttarakhand government is once again attempting to mislead in this matter,” he said.