Ankita Bhandari Murder Case: Pulkit Arya, Staff Sentenced to Life; VIP Link Still Elusive

Ratnakar Mavilach 3 weeks agoLast Updated: June 8, 2025

9 4 minutes read

Nearly three years after Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist, was found dead under suspicious circumstances near Rishikesh, a district court in Kotdwar on Thursday convicted three men of her murder. The verdict brings a measure of justice—but leaves a central mystery unresolved.

The court sentenced Pulkit Arya, owner of the now-demolished Vanantra Resort, and his two employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, to life imprisonment for the murder. The ruling came after a prolonged legal battle, public protests, and intense media scrutiny.

Ankita Bhandari Murder Case: A Young Woman, A Refusal, and a Fatal Night

Ankita had only been working at the resort for a few weeks when she was allegedly pressured to offer “special services” to guests. What exactly these services entailed became chillingly clear through WhatsApp chats and statements from colleagues. She refused. According to the prosecution, that defiance led to her death.

On the night of September 18, 2022, after a confrontation near the Chilla canal, Ankita was pushed into the water. Her body was discovered six days later, downstream from the resort, battered by the current and bloated beyond recognition.

Investigators said the altercation stemmed from Ankita refusing to comply with instructions involving a resort guest who was repeatedly described as a “VIP” in staff conversations. The implications of that title—given the context—have remained a point of speculation, unease, and frustration for many.

Conviction Amid Political Crossfire

The main accused, Pulkit Arya, is the son of Vinod Arya, a former BJP leader who held a post equivalent to Minister of State. The family’s political standing led to initial hesitations in the case. For days after Ankita went missing, there was no FIR filed under criminal police; the area was under the jurisdiction of the revenue police, who lack the authority to handle murder cases.

Only after public outrage boiled over—triggered by local protests and social media campaigns—did the case see real movement. The Uttarakhand government set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and transferred the probe to it. Meanwhile, the BJP expelled both Vinod Arya and his other son Ankit Arya, who held a minor government position.

A day after the arrests, the resort was bulldozed. According to a JCB operator who testified later, the demolition happened on instructions from a sitting BJP MLA, raising serious questions about whether evidence was knowingly destroyed.

Court Ruling and Charges

In her judgment, Additional District and Sessions Judge Bhavna Pandey found the three accused guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code—including 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 354A (sexual harassment). They were also convicted under clauses of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.

The court imposed a ₹50,000 fine on each convict and directed that a sum of ₹4 lakh be paid to Ankita’s parents as compensation.

Family’s Grief: ‘This Isn’t Full Justice’

Outside the court, Ankita’s father stood silently as media microphones were thrust his way. When he finally spoke, he didn’t hide his disappointment. “We asked for the death penalty. What kind of message does this send?” he said. Her mother added: “We’ve lost everything. Life imprisonment doesn’t give us back our daughter.”

For the family, the emotional wound has only deepened with time. And a lingering question continues to haunt them—and the public: who was the VIP guest?

The VIP Question No One Has Answered

The SIT, in its 500-page chargesheet, referenced the presence of a guest who had reportedly paid for “extra services.” Yet, this individual has not been identified publicly nor named in any formal charges. Sources close to the investigation confirm that a man was questioned and admitted to certain financial transactions, but the link to Ankita’s murder was deemed insufficient to pursue charges—at least for now.

Activists say the omission speaks volumes. “There’s a hole in this story. Someone wanted something, someone refused, and now someone is dead. But that someone on the other end of the demand has vanished from the legal process,” said Ragini Thapliyal, a women’s rights advocate based in Dehradun.

Impact and Fallout

The case brought national attention to women’s safety in Uttarakhand’s tourism industry, especially in unregulated private resorts scattered across hill districts. Following the incident, the state initiated safety audits and proposed reforms for employee protection. However, little appears to have changed on the ground.

Several resort staff members, who wished to remain anonymous, later told reporters that demands for “entertaining” guests were not unheard of in such establishments. “It was an open secret. Girls were warned—if you want to keep the job, play along,” said one former employee.

The public reaction was visceral. Candlelight vigils were held across Dehradun, Haridwar, and Pauri Garhwal. Students and women’s groups marched with posters that read: Justice for Ankita, Who is the VIP?, and Why the Silence?

What Comes Next

While the verdict marks a legal milestone, the larger narrative remains unsettling. The VIP guest remains unnamed. The political undertones have only partially been addressed. And a family waits, not just for closure—but for truth.

The Uttarakhand police have said they remain open to new evidence. Whether that translates into concrete action is uncertain. For now, three men will serve life terms in Pauri Jail. And the name that may have triggered it all remains missing from the record.

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Author Profile

Ratnakar Mavilach

Chief Editor at Hindustan Herald | Web

Ratnakar Mavilach is a seasoned journalist and digital media strategist with 10+ years of experience in politics, geopolitics, and current affairs. Founder of ventures like Hinglishgram and Debonair Magazine’s revival, he leads Hindustan Herald with sharp editorial vision, domain depth, and a relentless focus on impactful storytelling.