The nation stood witness as the Additional District and Sessions Court in Kotdwar delivered its long-awaited judgment on May 30, 2025, in the chilling Ankita Bhandari murder case that had captivated headlines since September 2022. The court, presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge, convicted Uttarakhand resort owner Pulkit Arya and two employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, for the murder of teenage receptionist Ankita Bhandari.
The trio was found guilty under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA). Here are the sentencing details:
Pulkit Arya:
Section 302 IPC (Murder): Rigorous life imprisonment and Rs 50,000 fine
Section 201 IPC (Causing disappearance of evidence): 5 years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 10,000 fine
Section 354A IPC (Sexual harassment): 2 years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 10,000 fine
Section 3(1)(d) of ITPA: 5 years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 2,000 fine
Saurabh Bhaskar & Ankit Gupta:
Section 302 IPC: Rigorous life imprisonment and Rs 50,000 fine each
Section 201 IPC: 5 years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 10,000 fine each
Section 3(1)(d) of ITPA: 5 years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 2,000 fine each
Additionally, the court ordered a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to be paid to Ankita Bhandari's grieving family.
The courtroom atmosphere in Pauri Garhwal district resembled a fortified zone, with stringent security arrangements in place to maintain law and order. Ankita's mother, Soni Devi, emotional and devastated, appealed for public support and demanded capital punishment for the convicted perpetrators.
Ankita Bhandari, a young resident of Pauri district, tragically lost her life while working as a receptionist at Vanantara Resort in Rishikesh. Allegedly, she was murdered by Pulkit Arya and his associates after resisting pressure to provide unauthorized services to a VIP guest. Her body was recovered from the Chilla canal six days after she went missing, sparking widespread outrage and demands for justice.
The case saw significant developments, including the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), stringent legal actions under the Gangster Act, and extensive public and political scrutiny. The involvement of Pulkit Arya, son of BJP leader Vinod Arya, led to political repercussions, with immediate expulsion from the party. The judicial process, marked by meticulous prosecution efforts and public prosecutor tenacity, repeatedly denied bail to the accused, ensuring a rigorous trial.
As Uttarakhand grapples with the aftermath of this tragic saga, the verdict serves as a poignant reminder of the pursuit of justice amidst societal challenges. The Ankita Bhandari murder case continues to resonate, reflecting broader issues of safety and accountability.
In conclusion, while justice has been served in the courtroom, the scars of this heinous crime endure for Ankita's family and the community at large.
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