Justice Delivered in Ankita Bhandari Murder Case: Nearly three years after the brutal murder of 19-year-old receptionist Ankita Bhandari, a local court in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, has delivered its long-awaited verdict in one of the state’s most closely followed cases. On May 30, 2025, Additional District Judge Reena Negi found all three accused — including prime suspect Pulkit Arya — guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment.
The conviction marks a pivotal moment in a case that shook the conscience of the nation and spotlighted the systemic rot often hidden beneath power, privilege, and silence.
The Crime That Sparked Outrage
On September 18, 2022, Ankita Bhandari — who worked as a receptionist at the now-infamous Vanantara Resort in Yamkeshwar — was murdered and her body dumped into the Chilla Canal. What began as a missing person case quickly escalated into a murder investigation, drawing public outrage after revelations about the alleged involvement of high-profile individuals.
Ankita’s family spent over a week frantically searching for her, unaware that she had already been killed. The heartbreak soon turned into fury when it was revealed that the main accused, Pulkit Arya, was the son of Vinod Arya, a politician associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Swift Arrests But Lingering Suspicions
Despite early fears that the influential background of the accused would hinder justice, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took a firm stand. Within 24 hours of public outcry, Pulkit Arya and his two associates — Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta — were arrested. The government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which later submitted a 500-page charge sheet detailing the chilling sequence of events.
Still, skepticism remained. Public sentiment was inflamed by speculation that attempts were being made to shield the culprits. Demands for a CBI investigation echoed across the state. However, the court later affirmed that the SIT probe was indeed conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
Charges That Led to Conviction
Pulkit Arya was charged under:
IPC Section 302 – Murder
IPC Section 201 – Destruction of evidence
IPC Section 354A – Sexual harassment
Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act – Related to forcing women into sex work
The other two accused, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, were charged under Sections 302, 201, and the Immoral Traffic Act as well.
All three were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, offering a sense of closure to Ankita’s grieving family and thousands who had followed the case with deep emotional investment.
An Unnamed VIP Still in the Shadows
While the court ruling has brought justice to the immediate perpetrators, an unsettling question remains unanswered — who was the ‘VIP guest’ that Ankita was allegedly being coerced to entertain?
During the investigation, it emerged that Pulkit Arya used his resort to host powerful individuals, offering them exclusive access and, disturbingly, reportedly attempting to “offer” Ankita to one such guest. Her refusal led to escalating tensions between her and Arya — a conflict that ultimately cost Ankita her life.
Despite testimonies and public outcry, the identity of the so-called VIP has never been officially disclosed. Legal experts and women’s rights activists are now calling for a deeper investigation to uncover the full extent of the exploitation that took place at the resort.
A Symbolic Victory for the Common Citizen
Ankita Bhandari’s murder struck a deep chord among India’s middle and lower-income families, especially those who send their daughters to cities with the hope of a better future. Her story symbolized the vulnerability of young women in a society where power often tramples justice.
Today, the court’s decision offers more than just punishment — it represents hope. Hope that no matter how powerful the accused may be, the law will prevail.
While Pulkit Arya and his co-accused have been convicted, activists insist the fight is not over. There is growing pressure to reopen the investigation into the identity and role of the unnamed VIP guest, whose mention has been consistent throughout the case but has not led to any formal inquiry.
For Ankita’s family, justice is only partially served. They continue to demand complete transparency and accountability, not just for their daughter, but for every woman vulnerable to such systemic abuse.
