Uttarakhand Police file charge sheet in Ankita Bhandari murder case

In the Ankita Bhandari murder case, Uttarkhand Police filed a charge sheet against the three persons accused on Saturday. The charge sheet has been filed and submitted before the Kotdwar Judicial Court.

In a joint press conference with the probe in-charge of the Special Investigation Team P Renuka Devi, Additional Director General (ADG) V Murugesan of Uttarakhand Police said, “We are going to file a 500-page chargesheet within 90 days in this case. Around 100 people have been examined in the matter.”

Under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Unethical Business Prevention Act (IBPA) the case has been filed against the accused.

“The chargesheet is being sent to the Hon’ble Court against the three accused under IPC section 302, 201, 120B, 354A, and 5(1)V of the Unethical Business Prevention Act. The Narco test and other points are being discussed in the said incident,” Murugesan said.

Earlier on 24 September Ankita’s body was recovered from the Chilla canal in Rishikesh. Ankita used to work as a receptionist at a resort run by Pulkit Arya, the son of expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya.

Meanwhile, for the six days missing report was filed and later police officials found her dead body. In connection with the Ankita Bhandari murder case, Pulkit Arya was arrested for allegedly pushing her into the canal.

Later in case two more people Ankit Gupta and Saurabh Bhaskar were also arrested. After the incident, the BJP government led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami promptly expelled Vinod Arya.

Moreover, on 4 December the investigation into the Ankita Bhandari case was completed by the Uttarakhand Police just Narco tests of the accused remained. After which Uttarakhand Police sought permission from the Kotdwar court.

“The main accused Pulkit Arya and the second accused Saurabh have given consent for the narco and polygraph tests, however, the third accused Ankit has asked for 10 days time. His application will be heard in the court of Judicial Magistrate Kotdwar on December 22,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) P Renuka Devi said.

However, in the Nainital High Court in November Ankita’s mother, Sona Devi and father Virender Singh Bhandari filed a petition. The petition was filed to seek inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the case.

Furthermore, against the three accused the Pushkar Singh Dhami government has invoked the Gangster Act.