Federal investigators probing the Ankita Bhandari murder case have sharply stepped up their operational pace across Uttarakhand. Barely twenty-four hours after the victim's parents met senior officials at the agency's headquarters in New Delhi, investigators turned their attention to Haridwar. On Saturday, central officials questioned former Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Suresh Rathore in connection with the ongoing inquiry, signaling a renewed effort to examine every lead surrounding the incident.
Interrogation in Haridwar and Rathore's Statement
After concluding his session with investigators in Haridwar, the former legislator spoke briefly to the press to clarify his stance. He insisted that he had provided every relevant detail available to him to assist the probe without hesitation. Commenting on his interaction with the authorities, he stated, “I have fully cooperated with the investigation, neither more nor less than that.” However, he chose to remain completely silent when pressed about the specific queries raised by the interrogators during the session.
Questions Over Urmila Sanawar
The inquiry took a sharp turn when officials reportedly asked questions regarding Urmila Sanawar. Facing questions regarding this individual, Rathore stated that he had absolutely no acquaintance with her nor any information about her background. This flat denial has triggered fresh scrutiny over whether the murder inquiry is brushing against previously undisclosed connections that warrant deeper scrutiny by the central agency.
Assurances Given to Victim's Parents in New Delhi
Just a day prior to this questioning on October 16, Ankita Bhandari's parents were called to the federal agency's main office in the national capital. Senior officials had held a meeting with the family to assure them of a swift, impartial, and expansive investigation into the tragic crime. The authorities communicated that significant legal steps could follow shortly, leaving observers awaiting the formal findings of the investigation to bring clarity to the entire matter.
