Uttarakhand teen murder: The resort has been demolished, but an official claims that ‘all evidence is safe.’

Following the alleged murder of an employee at a Uttarakhand resort near Rishikesh, a member of the Special Investigation Team leading the investigation has claimed that all physical and forensic evidence from the site has been secured.

“Forensic team had collected all evidence from Vanatara resort before its demolition (on September 24). All evidence found there being used in forensic investigation is safe; further probe underway,” PR Devi quoted.

The investigation is being conducted in relation to the alleged murder of a 19-year-old receptionist who worked at a property owned by Haridwar BJP leader Vinod Arya’s son Pulkit.

Pulkit and two other employees were detained.

Her body was discovered in a canal near Rishikesh after she went missing. As family and activists demanded action, violent protests erupted in the resort’s vicinity, and the administration began demolishing the structure.

However, critics pointed out that evidence may have been destroyed as well.

A preliminary autopsy at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh revealed that she drowned. However, there were antemortem injuries (those received before death).

Her family had refused to carry out the final rites until they had received the final report. She was later cremated on the banks of the Alaknanda after the state government assured her that a fair investigation would be conducted.

Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, has promised that no one involved in the murder will be spared. He also directed officials to ‘ensure better law and order and to keep an eye out for ‘anti-social elements which disrupt the peaceful environment.’