Dehradun, Jan 6 (PTI) Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday said the Uttarakhand government is prepared for any investigation into the Ankita Bhandari murder case, adding that a final decision would be taken only after consulting her parents and following their wishes.
Opposition parties have been holding protests, demanding a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the matter.
Speaking to reporters here, the chief minister alleged a conspiracy to disturb the peace in the state by using a name mentioned in a leaked audio clip. He pointed out that BJP state in-charge Dushyant Kumar Gautam did not visit Uttarakhand between September 10 and 20, 2022, the period in question.
Dhami noted that the the people of the state have expressed their views with sensitivity, and Ankita’s parents remain the most affected.
“I will speak with her parents as the ‘Mukhya Sevak’ (chief servant) of the state. After discussing the matter with them and studying the legal aspects, we will proceed in accordance with their wishes to ensure justice for their daughter,” the chief minister said.
Terming the 2022 murder “heart-wrenching,” the chief minister recalled that as soon as the incident came to light, the three accused were arrested and the body was recovered. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by DIG Renuka Devi was subsequently formed to probe every angle of the case, he said.
Dhami emphasised that strong legal representation in court ensured the three accused remained in jail without bail and were eventually sentenced to life imprisonment.
The demand for a CBI probe gained fresh momentum following an audio clip released by actress Urmila Sanawar, who claims to be the wife of former MLA Suresh Rathore. The clip allegedly mentions a ‘VIP’ name. The Congress and various social organisations have also demanded a CBI probe to identify the ‘VIP’ allegedly linked to the case.
Responding to the claims, Dhami said the government is open to any investigation once the authenticity of the audio is verified. An SIT has already been constituted to verify the audio through Forensic Science Laboratory tests and other methods. Police are also trying to contact the individuals heard in the conversation.
“Once the truth behind what was said in the audio is established, we are ready for all types of probes. There should be no confusion in the state. Our track record shows that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing will not be spared,” Dhami said.
Questioning the consistency of the claims in the audio, Dhami said the speakers make contradictory statements, ranging from claims about becoming the state BJP president to alternating descriptions of the death as murder and suicide. “Which of their statements should be considered true?” Dhami asked.
He questioned why a press conference was held in Delhi instead of Dehradun and suggested the possibility of a conspiracy to help the convicted individuals.
“In the press conference, our state in-charge’s name was mentioned. However, police investigations and social media records confirm that Dushyant Kumar Gautam was not in Uttarakhand from September 10 to 20,” he added.
Dhami argued that if anyone else had been involved, the three convicts sentenced to life would have disclosed that information. He appealed to the individuals in the audio to “come forward” and justify their claims rather than “evading authorities”.
“The investigation is ongoing. The mist will clear and the truth will emerge,” he added.
When asked if the controversy was a result of a personal dispute between Rathore and Gautam, Dhami said the probe would reveal the facts.
In 2022, 19-year-old Ankita, a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Pauri district, was murdered. The resort owner, Pulkit Arya, and two employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta were subsequently arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment by a sessions court for the crime. PTI DPT AKY
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