CM Dhami recommends CBI probe in Ankita murder case
Taking cognizance of widespread protests, the Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has recommended the CBI to probe the Ankita Bhandari murder case. Following the new disclosures made by Urmila Sanwar, the estranged wife of former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore, the demand for a CBI investigation in the high profile murder case was gathering momentum in Uttarakhand. The parents of Ankita Bhandari too had demanded a CBI probe in the murder case of their daughter.
CM Dhami recommends CBI probe in Ankita murder case
In a statement on Friday, the CM said, “ The government’s objective has always been to ensure justice in a fair, transparent and sensitive manner from the very beginning, and this commitment will continue in the future as well,’’ he said.
The CM said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted under the leadership of a woman IPS officer when the incident first came to light. The CM said that all the accused related to the case were arrested and the State government ensured effective legal representation. As a result, none of the accused were granted bail during the investigation and trial. After a thorough investigation by the SIT, a chargesheet was filed against the accused and upon completion of the trial, the lower court awarded life imprisonment to the convicts. “The State government’s intent is absolutely clear and that no fact or evidence will be overlooked. Ankita was not just a victim but was also our sister and daughter,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has said that the anger of people forced CM to recommend CBI probe in Ankita murder case. The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Ganesh Godiyal said that the recommendation of CBI probe by the CM shows that mistakes were done in the past. He termed the recommendation as the victory of the struggle and patience of parents of Ankita Bhandari, different political parties, social organisations and the workers of the Congress party. The PCC president however added that the Congress party wants the CBI probe should be monitored by a sitting judge of either Uttarakhand High Court or Supreme Court.
