Addressing questions surrounding the legal proceedings and investigation into the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari at Vanantara Resort near Rishikesh, senior police authorities have shared a detailed accounting of the case. During a media briefing convened at the Police Headquarters in Dehradun, Additional Director General of Police (Crime and Law and Order) Dr. V. Murugesan reviewed the timeline of law enforcement actions. He emphasized that the state police acted immediately upon learning of the tragic incident, using coordinated team operations to track down and arrest all three accused individuals within 24 hours.
Formation of Women IPS-Led SIT for Impartial Inquiry
Given the gravity and public sensitivity surrounding the case, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed the immediate establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). To ensure a meticulous, objective, and deeply comprehensive inquiry, the leadership of this specialized team was entrusted to a woman IPS officer holding the rank of DIG. This structural oversight allowed investigators to pursue all operational leads without delay and establish an unbroken evidentiary trail.
Compiling a 500-Page Chargesheet Across 88 Days
During the course of the investigation, the SIT gathered comprehensive forensic, technical, digital, and physical evidence from the scene and surrounding areas. Investigators coupled rigorous interrogations of the suspects with detailed forensic laboratory evaluations and formal witness depositions. Following 88 days of intensive investigative work, the team concluded its inquiry and submitted an extensive chargesheet spanning approximately 500 pages before the competent judicial magistrate.
Convictions and Ongoing Life Sentences at Kotdwar Court
The state administration prioritized prompt trial scheduling and robust prosecution arguments throughout the court proceedings. Relying on the solid evidentiary dossier compiled by the SIT, the Additional District and Sessions Court in Kotdwar delivered its judgment on May 30, 2025. The court convicted Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, and Ankit Gupta, handing each of them rigorous life imprisonment. All three convicts remain incarcerated in prison, currently serving their life terms.
