Ankita Bhandari death anniversary: Congress holds Nyay March, seeks progress in VIP probe

Congress workers on Friday held a ‘Nyay March’ near the Chilla Barrage in Rishikesh to mark the fourth death anniversary of 19-year-old receptionist Ankita Bhandari and demand progress in the investigation into the alleged VIP angle in her murder.

Bhandari was killed on September 18, 2022, after working at the Vanantra Resort in the Yamkeshwar area. Her body was recovered from the Chilla canal four days later.

Resort owner Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, and two associates were arrested in connection with the murder. A court later sentenced all three to life imprisonment. The prosecution case included allegations that Bhandari was killed after resisting pressure to provide “special services” to a guest described as a VIP.

The Congress organised a sit-in at Ganga Bhogpur Talla before taking out the march towards the gates of the now-defunct Vanantra Resort. Party leaders and workers also paid floral tributes before a portrait of Bhandari.

Addressing the gathering, Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal questioned the progress in identifying the person referred to as the alleged VIP. He said the people of Uttarakhand had been waiting for answers and criticised the state and central governments over the pace of the inquiry.

The issue gained renewed attention in January 2026 after the Uttarakhand government recommended a CBI investigation into the alleged VIP angle following renewed public demands. The CBI subsequently began its probe.

Godiyal said the Congress would continue to seek accountability and transparency in the matter. The protest was attended by senior state vice president Suryakant Dhasmana, campaign committee chief Pritam Singh, election management committee head Harak Singh Rawat and state Mahila Congress chief Jyoti Rautela.