Uttarakhand’s Additional Director General of Police (Crime and Law and Order) Dr. V. Murugesan gave detailed information regarding the investigation and judicial proceedings of the Ankita Bhandari murder case in a press conference held today (Thursday) at the Police Headquarters, Dehradun. Dr. Murugesan told that in the year 2022, a young girl working at Vananthara Resort near Rishikesh will pass away. Uttarakhand Police took prompt action in the tragic incident that happened with Ankita Bhandari. With mutual coordination, police teams arrested all three accused within 24 hours of the incident coming to light.
SIT was formed immediately after the matter came to light.
Additional Director General of Police said that considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the incident, SIT was immediately formed on the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. A DIG level woman IPS officer was made the chairperson of the SIT, so that a thorough and effective investigation of the case could be ensured.
SIT had filed a 500 page charge sheet in the court.
He said that the SIT thoroughly collected digital, technical, forensic and physical evidence during the investigation of the case. Additionally, all material evidence, including detailed interrogation of the accused, forensic reports and witness statements, was thoroughly analyzed. SIT completed the investigation in 88 days and filed a detailed charge sheet of about 500 pages in the court.
All three culprits have been sentenced to life imprisonment
Dr. Murugesan said that necessary efforts were made by the Uttarakhand government to ensure speedy hearing of the case and effective advocacy. As a result of solid evidence compiled by the SIT and effective advocacy by the prosecution, on May 30, 2025, the Additional District and Sessions Court at Kotdwar convicted the three accused Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta and sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment for life. All three convicts are currently lodged in jail and are serving life imprisonment.
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