Three people, including resort owner and BJP leader Vinod Arya’s son Pulkit Arya, were arrested on Friday in connection with the alleged killing of Ankita Bhandari, who had gone missing about six days ago.
A search is on for the body of the 19-year-old receptionist who worked at the resort. The police said that the accused confessed to having pushed her into a canal after a dispute and she drowned. Pulkit Arya is the son of former Uttarakhand minister and BJP leader Vinod Arya.
According to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the strictest punishment will be given for such crimes.
“It’s unfortunate. The police are working. They have done their work by making the arrests. Strictest punishment would be given for such heinous crimes, whoever the criminal may be,” he said.
Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Kumar told ANI that the resort owner, Pulkit Arya, has been arrested along with two more accused in the case.
“The girl went missing five or six days back. The area of the resort didn’t come under the regular police station area.
There is a Patwari police system here and an FIR was registered under that on behalf of the resort owner,” he said.
“The DM handed over the case to Laxman Jhula Police, who worked out the case within 24 hours. The resort owner turned out to be the accused. Three accused, including the resort owner, Pulkit, have been arrested,” he added.