Ankita Bhandari Murder Case: 88-Day Probe Leads to 3 Life Sentences
Uttarakhand Police detail the swift SIT probe in the Ankita Bhandari murder case, leading to life sentences for three convicts.
The Uttarakhand Police have provided a detailed account of the investigation into the Ankita Bhandari murder case, highlighting a swift legal process that culminated in life imprisonment for the three individuals responsible for the brutal crime.
Briefing the media at the police headquarters in Dehradun, Additional Director General of Police (Crime and Law & Order) V Murugesan emphasized that the police acted with urgency from the very beginning. He revealed that all three suspects were apprehended within just 24 hours of the incident.
A High-Level Investigation
Following the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was immediately formed to ensure no stone was left unturned. To maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the probe, a woman IPS officer of DIG rank was appointed to lead the SIT.
The investigation was characterized by a meticulous approach to evidence gathering. According to ADG Murugesan, the SIT focused on several key areas:
- Digital and Technical Evidence: Thorough analysis of electronic footprints and communications.
- Forensic Analysis: Detailed examination of forensic reports to link the accused to the crime.
- Physical Evidence: Collection of tangible clues from the crime scene.
- Interrogations: Intensive questioning of the accused and recording of witness statements.
From Chargesheet to Conviction
The intensity of the probe allowed the SIT to complete its investigation in a remarkably short window of 88 days. This resulted in the filing of a comprehensive chargesheet, spanning approximately 500 pages, before the court.
The Uttarakhand government further ensured that the trial was expedited to provide timely justice. Due to the substantial evidence presented by the SIT and the strong arguments put forward by the prosecution, the Additional District and Sessions Court in Kotdwar delivered its verdict on May 30, 2025.
The Verdict
The court found three men—Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, and Ankit Gupta—guilty of the crime. All three were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life and are currently serving their sentences in jail.
The Timeline of the Tragedy
The case dates back to September 2022, involving Ankita Bhandari, who was an employee at the Vantara Resort under the jurisdiction of the Laxman Jhula Police Station. Ankita was murdered on September 18, 2022, and her body was eventually recovered from the Chilla Canal on September 24, 2022.