An Uttarakhand court delivers a landmark verdict in the 2022 murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari, convicting three accused after a high-profile trial that sparked statewide outrage.
Kotdwar: On May 30, 2025, an additional district and sessions court in Kotdwar sentenced Pulkit Arya, son of a former BJP minister, along with his associates Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, to life imprisonment for the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist at Rishikesh’s Vanantra Resort. The verdict comes after a two-year-eight-month trial that gripped Uttarakhand, following massive protests demanding justice for Ankita.
Conviction on Multiple Charges
The court found the trio guilty under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 201 (destruction of evidence), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 354A (sexual harassment), as well as provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. The prosecution presented a 500-page chargesheet, supported by 47 key witnesses, including the lead investigator, Deputy Inspector General P. Renuka Devi. The accused allegedly pushed Ankita into Rishikesh’s Chilla canal on September 18, 2022, where her body was recovered six days later, triggering widespread outrage.
A Case That Shook Uttarakhand
Ankita, a resident of Pauri, was reported missing for six days before her body was found, leading to protests across Uttarakhand. Angered locals set fire to Vanantra Resort, where she worked, after allegations surfaced that Pulkit Arya, the resort owner, and his associates had a history of abusing staff. Former employees revealed that Arya and Gupta frequently brought women to the resort, engaging in illegal activities and assaulting staff, including Ankita, for minor mistakes. The case gained political traction due to Arya’s ties to the BJP, with opposition parties criticizing the state government’s initial handling of the investigation.
Family and Public Demand Justice
Ankita’s mother, Soni Devi, expressed mixed emotions after the verdict, demanding capital punishment instead of life imprisonment. “May the criminals be sentenced to death… I appeal to the public of Uttarakhand to keep supporting us,” she told agency, urging people to gather at Kotdwar court to show solidarity. Public sentiment echoed her call, with a 2024 survey by the Uttarakhand Justice Collective showing 79% of residents favoring the death penalty for such crimes. Women’s rights groups hailed the verdict as a step forward but stressed the need for stricter laws against workplace harassment.
Investigation and Trial Timeline
The investigation, initially led by an SIT under P. Renuka Devi, uncovered a pattern of misconduct at Vanantra Resort, including allegations of illegal activities like human trafficking. Court proceedings began on January 30, 2023, with charges framed against the accused by March 28, 2023. Over the trial, 47 of the 97 listed witnesses testified, painting a grim picture of the resort’s toxic environment. Legal experts noted the case’s significance in highlighting systemic issues of power abuse and the safety of women in unorganized work sectors in Uttarakhand.
Broader Implications and Reforms
The Ankita Bhandari case has spurred calls for reform in Uttarakhand’s hospitality sector. In 2023, the state government introduced the “Safe Workspaces for Women Act,” mandating stricter background checks for resort owners and staff, along with mandatory CCTV installations. Activists, however, argue that implementation remains weak, citing a 2025 report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) that recorded a 12% rise in crimes against women in Uttarakhand since 2022. The verdict has reignited discussions on the death penalty for heinous crimes, with the state government reportedly considering an appeal for a harsher sentence.
