Ankita Bhandari Case: CBI Reaches Actress Urmila Sanawar’s Home
CBI intensifies probe into Ankita Bhandari murder case, visiting actress Urmila Sanawar and former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe into the high-profile Ankita Bhandari murder case, with a four-member team arriving at the Saharanpur residence of actress Urmila Sanawar on Sunday. This move comes as part of a wider effort by the agency to uncover all links and potential involvements in the brutal killing of the resort receptionist.
High-Profile Interrogations
The visit to Urmila Sanawar's home follows another significant development on Saturday, when the CBI team questioned former Uttarakhand BJP MLA Suresh Rathore. Speaking to the press in Haridwar, Rathore maintained that he has been entirely transparent with the investigators.
"I cooperated with the investigation—nothing more, nothing less. I have shared everything relevant to the investigation," Rathore stated, adding that he would continue to extend his full cooperation to the agency.
Parents Seek Justice in Delhi
The renewed activity by the CBI follows a critical meeting in the national capital. On Friday, the parents of Ankita Bhandari, accompanied by MP Anil Baluni, visited the CBI headquarters in Delhi to meet with the Director and other senior officials. During the meeting, the family provided fresh information regarding various dimensions of the case.
CBI officials have reportedly assured the grieving parents that the investigation will remain fair, impartial, and thorough, ensuring that every lead is examined without bias.
The "VIP" Controversy and Political Row
The investigation has been clouded by allegations regarding the involvement of a "VIP," a situation that has recently escalated. The controversy peaked following the appointment of Dushyant Gautam, the former Uttarakhand in-charge for the BJP, as the Governor of Sikkim.
Ankita's parents have strongly opposed this appointment, arguing that no individual whose name surfaced during the investigation should hold a constitutional office until they are fully cleared by the investigative agencies. This led to a protest sit-in at India Gate in Delhi, where the parents were detained by police before being released from the Tilak Marg Police Station.
Background of the Case
The case dates back to September 2022, involving the murder of Ankita Bhandari, who worked as a receptionist at a resort near Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. While the Uttarakhand police, represented by Additional Director General of Police (Crime and Law & Order) V Murugesan, stated that they acted swiftly and arrested three accused within 24 hours of the crime, the family continues to push for a deeper probe into the influence of powerful individuals.