The Tragedy
In the serene environs of Uttarakhand’s Pauri district, an unspeakable tragedy unfolded that shook the core of the region. Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist at the Vanantra Resort, vanished without a trace on September 18, 2022. Five harrowing days later, her lifeless body, bearing unmistakable signs of trauma, surfaced from the depths of the Chilla canal near Rishikesh. This horrific incident sparked an uproar that reverberated far beyond the state’s boundaries, exposing deep-rooted societal ills and igniting a fervent quest for justice.
The Victim: A Life Cut Short
Hailing from the village of Dobh-Srikot, Ankita Bhandari embodied the aspirations of countless young women striving to carve their path in an ever-evolving world. Forced to abandon her hotel management studies due to financial constraints, she embraced her first job at the Vanantra Resort with the hope of securing a brighter future. Little did she know that this opportunity would tragically culminate in her untimely demise, leaving her loved ones grappling with an unfathomable loss.
The Accused: Privilege and Power
At the center of this heinous crime stood Pulkit Arya, the son of a prominent BJP leader and the resort’s owner. Alongside him were Saurabh Bhaskar, the resort manager, and Ankit Gupta, the assistant manager. The trio’s confessions shed light on the chilling events that transpired, revealing a sordid tale of coercion, resistance, and ultimately, a brutal murder.
The Fateful Encounter
According to recovered chat records, Ankita had confided in her friend Pushpdeep about the relentless pressure she faced to provide “extra services” to an anonymous VIP, allegedly in exchange for a meager sum of ₹10,000. Her poignant response, “Being a poor woman does not mean I am willing to sell myself,” resonated with the core values of dignity and self-respect that defined her character.
Tragically, her unwavering stance against exploitation and harassment sealed her fate. On that fateful day, a heated altercation ensued between Ankita and the accused, culminating in her being forcibly pushed into the Chilla canal, where she met her untimely demise.
The Alleged Cover-Up: Obstructing Justice
The events that followed Ankita’s disappearance were shrouded in a veil of suspicion and alleged complicity. Despite her father’s frantic attempts to file a missing person report, his pleas fell on deaf ears, with multiple police stations citing jurisdictional issues and a blatant disregard for the established protocol of registering a “zero FIR.”
The Demolition and Destruction of Evidence
In a shocking turn of events, the room where Ankita resided at the Vanantra Resort was bulldozed and set ablaze, allegedly on the orders of BJP MLA Renu Bisht and the then Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Pramod Kumar. Witness testimony from a JCB driver revealed that he was summoned twice on the same day, September 23, 2022, to raze the resort’s gate, boundary wall, and Ankita’s room, raising grave concerns about the systematic destruction of vital evidence.
Moreover, a fire conveniently erupted on the premises on two consecutive days, further obliterating any remaining traces that could have shed light on the truth.
The Investigation: A Tangled Web of Allegations
Despite the initial hurdles and alleged attempts to derail the investigation, the Uttarakhand police eventually arrested the three primary accused – Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, and Ankit Gupta. However, the case took a startling turn when Ankita’s mother, Soni Devi, leveled allegations against Ajay Kumar, the state RSS general secretary, accusing him of being the elusive “VIP” who pressured Pulkit Arya to coerce Ankita into providing “extra services.”
The Demand for Justice
Undeterred by the challenges, Ankita’s parents, Soni Devi and Virendra Singh Bhandari, embarked on an unwavering mission to seek justice for their daughter. Their relentless protests and sit-ins, spanning days and nights, resonated with the collective conscience of the state, garnering widespread support from various quarters, including intellectuals, students, and even staunch BJP supporters.
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A “Justice for Ankita” committee, comprising journalists, activists, and concerned citizens, emerged as a formidable force, amplifying the call for accountability and transparency in the investigation.
The Role of the Media: Giving Voice to the Voiceless
In the midst of this turmoil, the role of the media proved pivotal in shedding light on the case and advocating for justice. Ashutosh Negi, an independent journalist and editor of the local newspaper “Jago Uttarakhand,” found himself at the forefront of this battle, tirelessly pursuing the truth and amplifying the voices of Ankita’s family and supporters.
However, Negi’s unwavering commitment came at a price. On March 5, 2024, he was arrested by the Uttarakhand Police under the guise of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, a move widely perceived as a retaliatory tactic to silence dissent and impede the pursuit of justice.
The Legal Battle: Seeking Accountability
Recognizing the gravity of the situation and the alleged miscarriage of justice, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court on Negi’s behalf. The petition highlighted the systematic destruction of forensic evidence and called for the court’s oversight to ensure a fair and impartial investigation, given the alleged complicity of the Uttarakhand police and bureaucracy.
The Opposition, led by the Congress party, has been a vocal critic of the Dhami government’s handling of the case, accusing the state police of acting more like party spokespersons than guardians of the law.
The Societal Impact: Awakening Consciousness
Ankita Bhandari’s tragic murder has ignited a profound societal awakening, transcending the boundaries of a singular crime. It has exposed deep-rooted issues of gender-based violence, exploitation, and the abuse of power, resonating with the collective consciousness of a state long revered for its perceived safety and low crime rates.
The incident has also fueled anti-outsider sentiments and garnered support for various land law protests within Uttarakhand, as many attribute the state’s relaxation of restrictions on land acquisition by non-residents to an escalation in crime and societal unrest.
The Way Forward: Seeking Systemic Change
As the wheels of justice grind slowly, the Ankita Bhandari case has become a catalyst for broader societal change. The outpouring of support from diverse segments of society, including BJP women supporters, underscores the urgency for systemic reforms and a collective commitment to upholding the dignity and safety of all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
The road ahead is arduous, but the unwavering determination of Ankita’s family, the “Justice for Ankita” committee, and the broader community serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards a more just and equitable society where no voice is silenced, and no life is deemed expendable.
As the echoes of Ankita’s story reverberate across the nation, it serves as a poignant reminder that the pursuit of justice is not merely a legal obligation but a moral imperative – a clarion call to confront the insidious forces that threaten the very fabric of our shared humanity.
