The Additional District and Session Judge’s court in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, is set to deliver its verdict on Friday in the high-profile Ankita Bhandari murder case.
The case attracted nationwide attention after local residents protested the killing of the 19-year-old receptionist at Vanantra Resort in Yamkeshwar, Pauri district.
The resort operator, Pulkit Arya and his two employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, allegedly murdered Ankita Bhandari on 18 September 2022.
The incident shocked the community and sparked outrage, especially because Pulkit Arya is the son of Vinod Arya, a BJP leader.
Following public uproar, the BJP expelled Vinod Arya amid the controversy. In response, the Uttarakhand government established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough probe into the case.
The court concluded its hearings on Monday after nearly three years of proceedings.
On 19 May, Additional District and Sessions Judge Reena Negi heard the final arguments from both the defence and prosecution, setting 30 May as the date to announce the verdict.
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During the trial, the prosecution, led by advocate Anuj Pundir, presented 47 witnesses, including the investigation officer.
The prosecution alleged that a dispute between Ankita Bhandari and Pulkit Arya led to the accused, along with Bhaskar and Gupta, pushing Ankita into the Cheela canal in Rishikesh.
Police arrested the three men and sent them to prison after recovering Ankita’s body from the canal. Concerned about possible leniency due to Pulkit Arya’s political ties, residents of Pauri district rallied in large numbers, demanding justice.
Their protests further prompted the government to ensure a thorough investigation and prosecution of the case.
As the verdict approaches, the nation watches closely, hoping for a fair and decisive outcome in this deeply unsettling case.
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