In a significant verdict, the court in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, sentenced three accused to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhndari. Ankita, who worked as a receptionist at a resort in Yamakeshwar block of Pauri district, went missing on September 18, 2022. Her body was recovered from the Cheela canal in Rishikesh six days later. The accused include the resort owner Pulkit Arya and his two employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta. The case, which drew widespread attention, concluded after a long judicial process lasting nearly two years and eight months.

The prosecution presented a comprehensive investigation led by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by DIG P. Renuka Devi. The SIT filed a 500-page chargesheet, detailing the sequence of events leading to Ankita’s death. It was revealed that a dispute between Ankita and the resort owner Pulkit Arya escalated, resulting in the accused allegedly forcing her into the canal, leading to her death. Over the course of the trial, 47 key witnesses were examined, strengthening the prosecution’s case. The accused were arrested soon after the recovery of Ankita’s body from the Cheela Powerhouse intake canal on September 24, 2022.

Ankita’s parents endured a long and painful fight for justice, with the local community supporting them throughout the trial. The court’s verdict to convict the three accused and award them life imprisonment was met with relief and appreciation by the victim’s family and the public. The case also triggered political repercussions, as Pulkit Arya was removed from his party following the incident. This landmark judgment highlights the importance of timely justice in cases involving crimes against women in Uttarakhand.