Ankita Bhandari Murder Case: CBI Summons Journalist Ashutosh Negi
The CBI summons journalist Ashutosh Negi and arrests actress Urmila Sanawar amid claims of VIP involvement in the Ankita Bhandari murder case.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe into the Ankita Bhandari murder case, summoning Uttarakhand journalist Ashutosh Negi for questioning. Negi, who has been a pivotal figure as the main petitioner in the case, is being called in as the agency digs deeper into the conspiracy surrounding the death of the resort receptionist.
The 'VIP' Controversy and Political Ripples
This latest move by the CBI comes amidst a swirling controversy regarding the alleged involvement of a "VIP" in the murder. The tension has escalated following the appointment of Dushyant Gautam, the former BJP Uttarakhand in-charge, as the Governor of Sikkim, adding a layer of political sensitivity to the ongoing investigation.
Actress Urmila Sanawar Under Scanner
The investigation has also taken a dramatic turn involving actress Urmila Sanawar. A four-member CBI team recently visited Sanawar's residence in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, as part of the inquiry into the September 2022 killing of Ankita Bhandari, who worked at a resort near Rishikesh.
In a sudden development, the Uttarakhand Police arrested Sanawar from her home in Govindnagar, Saharanpur. This arrest occurred just as she was expected to appear before a CBI court.
The Defamation Angle
According to the Uttarakhand Police, Sanawar's arrest follows a written complaint filed at the Ranipur Kotwali police station in Haridwar on October 24. The complaint was lodged by Deepika Rathore, the daughter of former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore. The allegations suggest that Sanawar used social media to post obscene and defamatory remarks against Rathore and her family to tarnish their reputation.
The Viral Audio Clip and Narco-Analysis
Urmila Sanawar has been closely linked to the case due to a viral audio clip and references to the aforementioned "VIP." The CBI had previously served her a formal notice regarding this recording.
Sanawar revealed that a CBI team had already questioned her for approximately four hours on October 18. Following this, she received a notice requesting her appearance to record her consent or refusal for a narco-analysis test.
"The CBI questioned me on the 18th... they served me a notice for a narco-analysis test and asked me to appear before them... This notice is related to the audio clip that went viral in the Ankita Bhandari murder case," Sanawar stated.
The notice specifically directed her to appear on October 23 to determine if she would voluntarily undergo the narco-analysis test, a development that has cast a spotlight on the potential secrets the audio clip might hold regarding the high-profile murder.