The Additional District and Sessions Court (ADJ Court) in Kotdwar delivered a significant verdict today (May 30) in the highly publicized Ankita Bhandari murder case. The court found the main accused, Pulkit Arya, and his two accomplices, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, guilty of serious charges including murder, destruction of evidence, and attempted outrage of modesty.
Ankita Murder Case: The Kotdwar-based Additional District and Sessions Court (ADJ Court) delivered a landmark judgment today in the Ankita Bhandari murder case, which had sent shockwaves through Uttarakhand. The court found the accused, Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, and Ankit Gupta, guilty under sections 302 (murder), 201 (destruction of evidence), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code, and relevant sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. While the final sentencing will be announced shortly, this decision has reinforced public trust in the justice system.
What Happened?
On the night of September 18, 2022, Ankita Bhandari, who worked as a receptionist at the Vanantara Resort, was murdered and her body was thrown into the Cheela Shakti canal. Her body was recovered from the canal on September 24, a week after the heinous crime, sparking widespread outrage across the state. The reason behind the murder was shameful; Pulkit and his accomplices pressured Ankita into immoral activities. When she resisted, they pushed her into the canal, killing her.
Investigation and Court Proceedings
On May 19, 2025, the prosecution, represented by Special Public Prosecutor Avnish Negi, concluded its rebuttal of the defense arguments. The court then set May 30 as the date for the verdict. The trial commenced on January 30, 2023, and spanned approximately two years, with the prosecution examining 47 witnesses. The SIT had initially identified 97 witnesses in the case. A 500-page charge sheet was filed with the court following the investigation.
Timeline of Events
- September 20, 2022: Pulkit Arya reported Ankita missing to the revenue police.
- September 22, 2022: Following public pressure, the case was transferred to the Lakshman Jhula police station.
- September 23, 2022: Pulkit, Saurabh, and Ankit were arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
- September 24, 2022: Ankita's body was recovered from the canal, and a post-mortem was conducted at AIIMS Rishikesh on the same day.
- September 26, 2022: The police reconstructed the crime scene.
- December 16, 2022: The charge sheet was filed, including sections related to immoral trafficking.
- May 30, 2025: The court found all three accused guilty.
Family's Reaction
The court's verdict brought relief to the public. Social media lauded the decision, with many hailing it as a "victory for justice" for Ankita. In Uttarakhand, this judgment stands as a symbol of women's honor and the transparency of the justice system. While Ankita's parents were tearful after the verdict, there was a glimmer of justice in their eyes. They stated, "We cannot bring our daughter back, but this court's decision proves that the law is still alive."
