Echoing public frustration, veteran politician Harish Rawat has called for a Supreme Court judge to oversee the probe into Ankita Bhandari’s brutal murder, labeling the current process deeply flawed. The incident, which unfolded at a high-end resort near Rishikesh, continues to haunt Uttarakhand two years on.
Rawat’s sharp critique came during an interaction with media, where he detailed investigative shortcomings—from tampered evidence to protected culprits. ‘Supreme Court supervision is non-negotiable for truth to emerge,’ he stressed, urging immediate action.
The timeline is telling: Ankita went missing amid tensions at Vanantara resort. Owner Pulkit Arya, nephew of a BJP legislator, and employees were arrested after confessing to shoving her from a gorge. Yet, the SIT’s efforts have been marred by controversies, prompting High Court intervention and a team overhaul.
Rawat framed his demand against a backdrop of political storm, with Congress alleging BJP complicity. Protests swept Dehradun, amplifying calls for justice. Ankita’s parents have endured endless waits, their grief compounded by perceived biases.
As chargesheet filings drag and hearings loom, Rawat’s intervention spotlights systemic failures in handling cases involving the powerful. His push for SC monitoring aligns with judicial precedents in sensitive matters, potentially setting a new benchmark. Uttarakhand watches closely—will this lead to real accountability, or remain another unfulfilled promise in the pursuit of justice?