Ankita Bhandari murder case-HC directs SIT to submit affidavit about evidence
Friday, 04 November 2022 | PNS | NAINITAL
Victim’s parents appeal to the court to transfer probe to CBI
Hearing on the petition seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Ankita Bhandari murder case, the Uttarakhand High Court single bench of Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to present the evidence it had collected from the incident site through an affidavit in the court by November 11. The victim’s parents Virendra Singh Bhandari and Soni Bhandari, who were also present during the hearing on Thursday also submitted their application in the petition in court seeking the death penalty for the culprits. Alleging that the SIT is conducting the murder investigation carelessly, they have sought a probe by the CBI in the case. The parents have stated in their submission that the government has been trying to shield some “VIP” since the start of the case. They alleged that a factory of the main accused adjoining his resort was set on fire recently in an attempt to destroy evidence. According to them, the locals had stated that blood stains had been seen in the factory.
It is pertinent to mention that the petitioner Ashutosh Negi has alleged that the police and SIT are concealing important evidence in the case. He has questioned various aspects in the investigation and action taken by the police. The petitioner has also alleged that Ankita Bhandari was sexually assaulted though the police have refuted this.Stating that the case is not being investigated properly, the petitioner has sought a probe by the CBI in the matter.
Talking to media persons after the hearing, the victim’s father alleged that the SIT is working under the pressure of the government to conceal facts. He said that the officer heading the SIT is viewed as an honest officer but she too is facing pressure from the government. The recent transfers of the district magistrate and superintendent of police of Pauri also point towards an attempt to cover up the case, he alleged. The victim’s mother said that almost two months had passed since the murder but their daughter is yet to get justice. Stating that they had lost faith in the State authorities, she said that they are hoping for justice from the High Court. She alleged that the government is trying to protect the persons who had killed her daughter.
It will be recalled that the son of a former BJP State minister and owner of Vanantara resort, Pulkit Arya and his employees Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta are in jail for allegedly murdering Ankita Bhandari- employed as a receptionist in the resort- on September 18.
