Police in Uttarakhand arrested three including BJP leader’s son Pulkit Arya in connection with the alleged murder of Ankita Bhandari a receptionist at a resort who was found murdered. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered razing of illegal construction at the resort though the now popular bulldozer method, soon after the incident came to light.
According to the police, the victim was working as a receptionist at Vantara Resort in Rishikesh owned by Pulkit Arya who happens to be the BJP leader Vinod Arya’s son. Vinod Arya, a veteran BJP leader is a former minister of state. He is currently a member of the national executive of the BJP OBC Morcha and the co-in-charge of UP BJP. Police ultimately found Ankita’s body after she was missing for the past week or so. The police took action after the notice of his missing went viral on social media.
After the news of Ankita’s murder came to light, the locals complained about the illegal construction of the resort and demanded that the resort be demolished. According to the locals, unethical activities were taking place in the resort and the resort manager used to abuse the employees. They described the resort as a haven for immoral activities. Allegedly, Ankita was killed as she refused to indulge in immoral activities. It is said that she was being forced to provide “special service” to the guests. When the police arrested the accused on Friday, the locals protesting against the incident attacked the accused.
Body found by deep divers
Police said that after the incident came to light, a team of SDRF conducted a search operation at Shakti Nahar Chilla Power House. SDRF deep divers were also engaged in this work. This morning the rescue team of SDRF and deep divers started the search operation again. During the search being conducted by the raft, the SDRF team recovered the body of a girl from the Chilla Power House and handed it over to the district police. Ankita Bhandari’s family members were called to identify the dead body. The family has identified the body.
Ankita and Pulkit had a fight
Police said that on the evening of September 18, Pulkit and Ankita had a fight at the resort. One of the accused Saurabh Bhaskar said that they had been to AIIMS through the barrage. Ankita and Pulkit were on a scooty while returning. He said he and Ankit came together. Pulkit stopped in the dark when all reached around 1.5 km from the barrage post. Saurabh said they also stopped.
Saurabh told the police that they were drinking. Meanwhile, Ankita and Pulkit had a fight again. He said Ankita was defaming them among her colleague saying that she is being forced to establish relationships with customers. Ankita started saying that she will expose the reality of the resort and threw Pulkit’s mobile in the canal. During the fight that ensued, she fell into the canal.
Meanwhile, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that an SIT headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police P. Renuka Devi has been constituted to bring the culprits to justice. and orders have been given for an in-depth investigation into this serious matter.
BJP leader’s son arrested
Police have arrested three people including BJP leader’s son Pulkit Arya in this case. All have been sent to 14 days of judicial custody. Pulkit Arya was the operator of the resort where Ankita worked. After the disappearance of the girl, the administrator, and manager of the resort absconded.
Thus the difference was resolved
During the police investigation, all the statements were verified through the CCTV footage installed in the area and the recording of mobile surveillance. The accused said that they slept in their respective rooms after returning from Rishikesh on September 18. Meanwhile, the police checked the CCTV footage on the road to Rishikesh. This was confirmed by the CCTV cameras on the barrage. Four people were seen leaving. But, only three people were captured on CCTV while returning. After this, the police took the three accused including Pulkit into custody. After a stern inquiry, it was revealed that there was a quarrel with Ankita on the way. After this, the accused pushed Ankita Bhandari down the hill in Ganga. Police are still investigating the real motive behind the murder.
Also Read: Mumbai: Murdered Body Of 15-Year-Old Andheri School Girl Found Dumped In Suitcase
