CBI registers Ankita Bhandari murder case, probe into 'VIP' angle
What's the story
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has re-registered the Ankita Bhandari murder case, Times Now News said, quoting officials. The move comes after public outrage and protests prompted the Uttarakhand government to recommend a CBI probe. The case was transferred from the Uttarakhand Police on Monday after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's government formally recommended it on January 9.
Case transfer
Case transferred to CBI's Special Crime Branch
The case has been transferred to the CBI's Special Crime Branch (Branch-2) in Delhi, indicating a high-profile and possibly interstate dimension to the investigation. The focus of this new CBI case is reportedly on the alleged involvement of a "VIP." This angle was first brought to light by actress Urmila Sanawar, who claims to be married to a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator.
Investigation progress
Registration of case marks significant escalation
The registration of the case at the national headquarters in Delhi marks a significant escalation in the official response to these allegations. Chief Minister Dhami has said that separate police complaints have been filed regarding the viral material, but now with CBI's entry, it brings the broader "VIP" question under India's premier investigative agency.
Case details
CBI's Special Crime Branch
The CBI's Special Crime Branch deals with serious offenses, including organized crime and high-profile criminal conspiracies. This new development effectively separates the legal proceedings: the original conviction for the physical murder remains intact, while a fresh investigation into powerful influences surrounding the crime begins anew from Delhi. Three primary accused, resort owner Pulkit Arya, manager Saurabh Bhaskar, and employee Ankit Gupta, are already serving life imprisonment for the murder