Fresh FIR Filed as Uttarakhand Pushes for CBI Probe in Ankita Bhandari Murder, Opposition Flags ‘VIP Shielding’

The Uttarakhand government announced that it would recommend a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the murder of Ankita Bhandari.

Following this, Padma awardee Anil Prakash Joshi moved the police seeking action against unidentified “VIPs” allegedly linked to the case.

Following his complaint, a fresh FIR was registered in Dehradun.

Dr Joshi, a Dehradun-based environmentalist who runs the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation and is a recipient of both the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, submitted his complaint late Friday.

The move immediately drew political reactions, with opposition leaders questioning both the complainant’s locus standi and the choice of police station, given that the crime occurred in Rishikesh and the trial was conducted in a court at Kotdwar.

Earlier on Friday, a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said that, “respecting the request and sentiments of Ankita Bhandari’s parents,” the Chief Minister had approved the recommendation to hand over the investigation to the CBI.

Ankita Bhandari, 19, was working as a receptionist at the Vanantara resort in Rishikesh when she was murdered by the resort’s manager, Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya.

Her body was recovered six days after she went missing, barely weeks after she joined the resort.

Garhwal Range Inspector General Rajeev Swaroop said further steps would be guided by the FIR registered at Vasant Vihar police station.

He explained that persistent allegations and rumours surrounding the case prompted the Chief Minister to speak directly with Ankita’s parents, who then sought a CBI inquiry.

“The FIR registered on Saturday has been forwarded to the police headquarters. From there, it will go to the secretariat and subsequently to the central government for approval so that the CBI can take over,” IG Swaroop said.

He added that the state police had acted proactively from the outset: a Special Investigation Team led by a woman officer carried out a detailed probe, the accused were convicted, and stringent punishment was ensured.

“Despite this, allegations have resurfaced, and the Chief Minister has directed that the matter be escalated to higher levels,” he said.

In his complaint, Joshi pointed to audio and video clips circulating on social media that, he said, allege the involvement of unknown individuals being described as “VIPs” in connection with the murder.

While acknowledging that those directly accused in Ankita’s killing have already been punished, he said claims were now being made that certain evidence had either been suppressed or destroyed.

“To ensure complete justice, it is necessary that this alleged, independent offence—linked to unidentified ‘VIP’ individuals—be probed separately,” Joshi stated. He argued that only an impartial and independent investigation could bring all facts into the open.

The opposition, however, reacted sharply. Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana accused the BJP-led government of acting inconsistently.

“On the one hand, a CBI probe is being recommended; on the other, steps appear to be underway to protect the alleged VIPs,” he said.

According to Dhasmana, the new FIR filed by Dr Joshi could become the basis of the CBI investigation—something he described as unnecessary and legally questionable.

“The Ankita Bhandari case is already governed by the original FIR registered at Laxmanjhula police station,” he said, noting that a chargesheet had been filed, a trial conducted in the Sessions Court at Kotdwar, and three accused convicted.

If the Centre accepts the recommendation for a CBI probe, he added, the agency should seek the Kotdwar court’s permission for further investigation and obtain all records already before the court.

“From the IG’s statement, it appears the CBI may instead proceedbased onf this new FIR,” Dhasmana said.

CPI(ML) state secretary Indresh Maikhuri also questioned the government’s intent, arguing that an FIR should have been lodged by Ankita’s family rather than by Joshi.

“Dr Anil Prakash Joshi has had no direct role in this case and is generally viewed as being close to the government,” Maikhuri said.

“This raises suspicion that the state government is once again attempting to divert or mislead in this matter.”

As the proposal for a CBI probe moves toward the Centre, the fresh FIR and the political sparring around it have reopened debate over procedure, jurisdiction, and whether all aspects of the case—including the alleged ‘VIP’ angle—will be examined transparently.

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