Ankita Bhandari Case: Parents Seek CBI Probe Under Supreme Court Judge’s Supervision, Express Satisfaction Over Government’s Recommendation

Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand: The parents of Ankita Bhandari, the young woman at the center of the high-profile Uttarakhand murder case, have expressed satisfaction over the state government’s recommendation for a CBI investigation. They reiterated their demand that the probe focus on the alleged involvement of a VIP guest and be conducted under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.

Ankita’s parents, Virendra Bhandari and Soni Devi, met Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in Dehradun on Thursday and requested a CBI investigation into the case. The meeting came amid widespread public outrage in the state following the circulation of videos allegedly linking a VIP guest to the case. Responding to the demand, CM Dhami recommended a CBI inquiry on Friday, a decision that has been welcomed by the grieving parents.

Parents Seek Justice:
Speaking to the media from their home, Virendra Bhandari and Soni Devi expressed hope that a CBI investigation under judicial supervision would reveal the complete truth. “The involvement of the alleged VIP guest led to the murder of our daughter,” they said. “We want the investigation to thoroughly examine this aspect to ensure complete justice for Ankita.”

Case Background:
Ankita Bhandari, a receptionist at the Vanantara Resort in Gangabhogpur, Yamkeshwar area, went missing on 18 September 2022 under mysterious circumstances. Her father raised suspicions of foul play the next day, but initially, a missing person case was registered. Following public pressure and media attention, a formal case was filed at Laxmanjhula police station on 22 September 2022.

On 23 September, resort owner Pulkit Arya, assistant manager Ankit Gupta, and manager Saurabh Bhaskar were arrested. Ankita’s body was recovered from the Tehri district’s Cheela Barrage on 24 September, based on the accused’s confession. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by IPS officer P. Renuka Devi, was formed to probe the case.

The case triggered massive public outrage, particularly when bulldozers were deployed at Vanantara Resort, sparking allegations of evidence tampering—a claim rejected by the SIT. CM Dhami personally visited Ankita’s village on 30 September 2022 to meet her parents and assured them of justice.

Trial and Sentencing:
The trial, conducted at the ADJ Court, Kotdwar, saw a 500-page charge sheet filed by the SIT on 28 March 2023, listing 97 witnesses. On 30 May 2025, the court sentenced all three accused to life imprisonment. Following the recent circulation of an audio clip linking the alleged VIP guest to the murder, public protests intensified, prompting the government to order a CBI investigation.

Ankita’s parents continue to fight for justice, insisting that the inquiry probe the VIP guest’s role comprehensively to ensure that the truth is fully revealed.