Uttarakhand CM orders CBI investigation into Ankita Bhandari murder case

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe for Ankita Bhandari murder case on Friday (January 9, 2026).

The announcement came after a fortnight long statewide protests.

The parents of Ankita Bhandari met CM Dhami on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) night and handed him a letter demanding an enquiry by the CBI into the case under the supervision of a Supreme Court Judge.

In the letter, Ankita’s father said that his daughter was murdered because of a ‘VIP’ whose identity is still unknown.

He wrote, “I appeal to the government to get this case investigated by the CBI under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge to apprehend the VIP.” After the meeting, CM Dhami said, “I have listened to them. A decision will be taken soon after considering their concerns.” He said his government will do “whatever it takes” to ensure justice for Ankita Bhandari.

In 2022, Ankita Bhandari, 19, a receptionist at Vanantra Resort in Pauri, was murdered by resort owner Pulkit Arya and two of his employees. All three were sentenced to life imprisonment in the case.

A demand for a CBI probe into the 2022 killing has gathered pace ever since Sanawar claimed the involvement of a ‘VIP’ in the murder.

(With PTI inputs)