BJP Ex-Leader's Son, Two Others Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in Ankita Bhandari Murder Case
Uttarakhand Court Convicts Three in High-Profile Ankita Bhandari Murder Case
Three individuals involved in the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh, have been convicted by an Uttarakhand court.
The additional district and sessions judge court in Kotdwar found Pulkit Arya, owner of the resort, along with Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, guilty of murder (Section 302), destruction of evidence (Section 201), criminal conspiracy (Section 120B), sexual harassment (Section 354A), and breaches of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act.
The trio was found guilty of brutally killing Ankita, and they now await sentencing. The prosecution has called for the maximum punishment to be imposed. Ankita's mother, Soni Devi, has demanded that the accused receive the death penalty and expressed her gratitude to the people of Uttarakhand for their continued support.
The case drew widespread outrage across the state, with protests taking place in various parts of Uttarakhand, and even parts of the resort were set on fire in response. Ankita was reported missing for over a week before her body was found in Rishikesh's Chilla canal on September 24, 2022.
Proceedings in the case began on January 30, 2023 in the ADJ Court in Kotdwar, with a 500-page chargesheet being filed following the investigation by a special investigation team (SIT). The hearing continued for approximately two years and eight months, with 47 witnesses, including the investigator, being examined in court by the prosecution.
The murder case received significant media attention, particularly allegations that Pulkit Arya, the son of a former BJP minister, and Gupta had a history of abusing women at the resort and mistreating staff.
In a related development, the Uttarakhand Congress has demanded that any influential figures linked to the crime be made public. The sentencing of the three accused marks an important step in the pursuit of justice for Ankita and her family.
- Uttarakhand
- Ankita Bhandari murder case
- Rishikesh
- Special Investigation Team (SIT)
- Murder conviction
- Prosecution testimony
- Sentencing
- Public protests
- Death penalty demand
- Politician's son linked to crime
- Media attention
- Uttarakhand Congress demand
- Justice for Ankita Bhandari's family
References:
[1] ANI. (2025, May 30). Judge sentences 3 accused to life imprisonment in Ankita Bhandari murder case. Retrieved from https://www.aninews.in/news/national/uttarakhand/3-accused-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment-in-ankita-bhandari-murder-case20250530071908/
[2] ANI. (2023, March 28). Court begins hearing in Ankita Bhandari murder case; Accused Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, Ankit Gupta produced before court. Retrieved from https://www.aninews.in/news/national/uttarakhand/court-begins-hearing-in-ankita-bhandari-murder-case-accused-pulkit-arya-saurabh-bhaskar-ankit-gupta-produced-before-court20230328171954/
[3] ANI. (2022, September 30). Ankita Bhandari's mother calls for death penalty for Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, Ankit Gupta. Retrieved from https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/ankita-bhandaris-mother-calls-for-death-penalty-for-pulkit-arya-saurabh-bhaskar-ankit-gupta20220930080206/
[4] ANI. (2023, March 29). Uttarakhand Congress seeks public disclosure of influential figures linked to Ankita Bhandari murder case. Retrieved from https://www.aninews.in/news/national/uttarakhand/uttarakhand-congress-seeks-public-disclosure-of-influential-figures-linked-to-ankita-bhandari-murder-case-20230329080906/
[5] Hindustan Times. (2023, March 28). Ankita Bhandari: Court frameworks write-ups versus Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta. Retrieved from https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ankita-bhandari-case-ankita-bhandari-murder-court-frames-charge-sheet-against-pulkit-arya-saurabh-bhaskar-and-ankit-gupta-101679952376070.html
The Soni Devi, Ankita Bhandari's mother, called for the death penalty for the convicted individuals in the widely publicized Ankita Bhandari murder case in Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand Congress seeks public disclosure of influential figures potentially linked to the crime.
