Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took a decisive step forward in the Ankita Bhandari murder saga by recommending a full CBI investigation. This bold endorsement reflects the state’s determination to resolve a case that has haunted its conscience.
The 2022 incident saw young receptionist Ankita Bhandari lured and killed, her body discarded in a canal near Rishikesh. The resort she worked at, owned by politically connected Pulkit Arya, became ground zero for allegations of exploitation and brutality.
Dhami, facing relentless scrutiny, proclaimed, ‘We are bound by duty to secure justice for every Uttarakhandi.’ His pledge arrives amid stalled local probes marred by claims of tampering and slow progress.
Recapping the probe: SIT teams grilled suspects, revealing illicit demands placed on Ankita. CCTV footage and witness statements painted a chilling picture, yet breakthroughs remained elusive, eroding trust.
Civil society, from Dehradun to Delhi, mobilized with candlelight marches and legal petitions. The Uttarakhand High Court had earlier flagged investigative gaps, paving the way for this escalation.
Critics applaud the shift but question delays, while supporters hail Dhami’s leadership. The CBI’s entry could deploy advanced forensics and witness protection, potentially cracking the conspiracy wide open.
For the Bhandari family, it’s a glimmer of hope after endless courtroom battles. As the file traverses to the capital, Uttarakhand watches closely—will this be the catalyst for accountability in a case that exposed power’s underbelly?