The high-profile Ankita Bhandari murder case is back in the headlines in Uttarakhand. This time, the action has landed on Suresh Rathore — a leader expelled from the BJP and a former MLA — who has been taken into custody and arrested by police.
Dehradun Police Pick Him Up From Haridwar
According to the available details, a team of Dehradun police nabbed Suresh Rathore from the Buggawala area of Haridwar. The arrest is said to be tied to the viral audio episode that was linked to the widely-discussed Ankita Bhandari murder case. A case in this matter had already been registered earlier at the Dalanwala police station in Dehradun.
Who Is Suresh Rathore
Suresh Rathore is no stranger to public life. He has served as a BJP MLA from the Jwalapur assembly seat. The current controversy erupted when actress Urmila Sanawar, a resident of Saharanpur, released several audio clips on social media. These clips were allegedly described as being connected to the Ankita Bhandari murder case, and from that point the matter snowballed.
Four FIRs and the High Court's Stand
A total of 4 FIRs were registered against Suresh Rathore on charges of circulating objectionable audio and video clips related to the Ankita Bhandari case on social media. Recently, the Uttarakhand High Court quashed two of these FIRs. However, the court allowed police to continue their investigation in the remaining two FIRs, meaning the legal pressure stayed in place.
Complainants' Allegations, Rathore's Defence
In this matter, complainants Dushyant Gautam and Aarti Gaur alleged that the circulated material had been deliberately crafted with the intent of damaging their reputation. Suresh Rathore, on the other hand, had challenged the charges in all 4 separate FIRs lodged against him across the Dehradun and Haridwar districts, calling them baseless. With this arrest now made, all eyes are on the next steps in the legal process.
