A Uttarakhand court has sentenced Pulkit Arya, along with two resort employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, to life in prison for the 2022 murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari. All three were also fined Rs 50,000 each following their conviction by the Additional District and Sessions Court in Kotdwar.

The verdict marks the end of a lengthy legal battle that began after Ankita’s body was recovered from the Chilla canal near Rishikesh in September 2022. Her disappearance had sparked widespread public outrage and political controversy in the state.

Ahead of the announcement, strict security arrangements were enforced at the Kotdwar court complex. The area was declared a restricted zone, with a 100-meter perimeter around the court allowing only officials and litigants to enter. Pauri Senior Superintendent of Police Lokeshwar Singh confirmed the heavy police presence was intended to maintain law and order.

Ankita’s mother, Soni Devi, made an emotional public plea before the judgment, calling for capital punishment. She urged residents of Uttarakhand to show solidarity by attending the court proceedings, saying, “May the criminals be sentenced to death… please stand by us.”

Case Gained Abundant Attention

The case gained national attention not just for its brutality, but also due to the political connection of the main accused. Pulkit Arya, the resort owner, is the son of Vinod Arya a former BJP leader who was expelled from the party after the controversy broke out.

The investigation revealed Ankita had accompanied Arya, Bhaskar, and Gupta to Rishikesh on the night of September 18, 2022. On their way back, the group stopped near the canal where the men drank alcohol. An argument reportedly erupted after Ankita confronted them over alleged illegal operations at the resort. In a rage, they pushed her into the water.

Her body was recovered on September 24, six days after she was reported missing. Fearing political interference, locals in Pauri launched massive protests, demanding accountability. In response, the Uttarakhand government appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure an impartial probe.

The SIT, led by DIG P. Renuka Devi, submitted a 500-page chargesheet that included statements from 97 witnesses. During trial proceedings, 47 of these witnesses including the investigation officer testified before the court.

Court proceedings began on January 30, 2023, and the trial officially commenced on March 28. After more than two years of hearings, closing arguments were presented on May 19 this year. Judge Reena Negi set May 30 as the day for delivering the final verdict.

The three men were convicted under sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), and 354A (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. They also faced charges under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and the Gangster Act.

Prosecutors argued that Pulkit Arya had pressured Ankita to offer “special services” to resort clients, which she refused. Her defiance, they claim, led to her murder. With today’s judgment, many hope the verdict will serve as a precedent in holding the powerful accountable, especially in cases involving violence against women.