Congress demands CBI probe into Ankita Bhandari murder case
Dehradun: The Congress has demanded a CBI investigation into the young Ankita Bhandari’s murder case in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Uttarakhand under the supervision of a serving or retired Indian Supreme Court judge.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the party Uttarakhand Congress president, Ganesh Godiyal, addressing a press conference said the name of a senior BJP leader has surfaced in what it termed fresh revelations. The party warned of statewide protests if its demand is not met.
He also referred to a viral video circulating in the state. In the video, a woman claiming to be the wife of former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore said she possesses audio recordings that link the murder case to a senior BJP leader.
He said the purported audio suggests that Ankita was under pressure to provide “special services” to a senior BJP functionary, identified as Gautam, the party’s Uttarakhand in-charge, whose name, he said, is explicitly mentioned in connection with the case.
Ganesh Godiyal further said that the resort where Ankita worked was owned by a BJP leader and that the state government was attempting to suppress evidence from the outset to protect “VIP culprits.” Godiyal said crucial evidence was destroyed when the room used by Ankita was demolished and bedding and other materials were set on fire, under the pretext of action against the culprits.
Issuing an ultimatum, the Congress demanded that the authorities order a CBI probe within the next 10 to 12 days and failure to do so, Godiyal warned, would prompt a statewide agitation demanding an independent investigation.
