NEW DELHI — With the murder of young Ankita Bhandari continuing to spark political controversy in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand, the Congress on Tuesday demanded a CBI investigation into the case under the supervision of a serving or retired Supreme Court judge. The party alleged that the name of a senior national-level BJP leader has surfaced in what it termed fresh revelations. The party warned of statewide protests if its demand is not met.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal, flanked by AICC secretaries Surender Sharma and Manoj Yadav, 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 alleges she possesses audio recordings that link the murder case to a senior BJP leader.
Godiyal claimed 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 alleged, is explicitly mentioned in connection with the case.
He further alleged that the resort where Ankita worked was owned by a BJP leader and accused the state government of 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, allegedly under the pretext of action against the accused.
According to Godiyal, the government gave contradictory explanations for the demolition — initially blaming local MLA Renu Bisht and later attributing it to directions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He said Congress leaders had repeatedly urged the Prime Minister during his visits to Uttarakhand to ensure the arrest of all influential persons allegedly involved in the case.
Godiyal also accused the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttarakhand government of intimidating a key witness — a close friend of Ankita — who had received messages from her saying she was being asked to provide “different kinds of services” and feared for her life.
Issuing an ultimatum, the Congress demanded that the Centre and the Uttarakhand government order a CBI probe within the next 10 to 12 days. Failure to do so, Godiyal warned, would prompt a statewide agitation demanding an independent investigation.
