Nearly three years after the gruesome killing of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari, a Pauri district court in Uttarakhand sentenced the three accused to life imprisonment on Friday. The court, led by Judge Reena Negi, held Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, and Ankit Gupta guilty of murder and other criminal charges.
Young Receptionist Killed at Resort in 2022
Ankita, who hailed from Uttarakhand’s Pauri district, was a receptionist at Rishikesh’s Yamkeshwar-based Vanantra Resort. She was allegedly killed by the resort owner Pulkit Arya and his friends Bhaskar and Gupta on September 18, 2022. The three men allegedly pushed her into the Chilla canal in Rishikesh after an altercation, according to investigators. Her remains were recovered six days later on September 24.
The late filing of her disappearance sparked massive demonstrations throughout Uttarakhand. In an angry public outcry, residents attacked the Vanantra Resort and set it ablaze, calling for quick justice for the young woman.
Disturbing Allegations of Exploitation
The case was investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Deputy Inspector General of Police P Renuka Devi. While investigating, four former employees reported serious allegations. They reported that Pulkit Arya and Ankit Gupta used to bring women to the resort on a regular basis and abused and harassed female workers.
Indignation increased further when it was disclosed that Pulkit Arya is the son of ex-BJP leader Vinod Arya, who was subsequently suspended from the party after the incident.
Court Trial and Judgment
The trial started on January 30, 2023, at the Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADJ) Court, Kotdwar. The SIT filed a 500-page chargesheet, and the prosecution started producing evidence and witnesses on March 28, 2023.
During two years and eight months, the court cross-examined 47 out of 97 SIT-listed witnesses. The evidence proved that Pulkit Arya and Ankita were involved in an altercation, leading to her being pushed into the canal by the accused by force.
The court found Arya, Bhaskar, and Gupta guilty under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 354A (sexual harassment), and corresponding sections of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act. The three were sentenced to life in jail.
Family Demands Harsher Punishment
Ankita’s mother, Soni Devi, was not happy with the punishment and stated that the death penalty would have been more suitable. In an interview with ANI, she stated, “I appeal to the public of Uttarakhand to keep on supporting us and come to the Kotdwar court to boost our morale.”
The sentencing is a highlight of a case that drew national attention and fueled controversies surrounding women’s security and political power in criminal trials.
