U’Khand: Kotdwar court set to pronounce order in Ankita Bhandari murder case today

KOTDWAR (Uttarakhand): The Additional District and Sessions Court in Kotdwar is set to pronounce its verdict today in the high-profile Ankita Bhandari murder case, which has gripped the nation’s attention since September 2022.

Security at the court complex in Pauri Garhwal district has been tightened, with the area resembling a cantonment due to heavy police deployment to maintain law and order. Pauri Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Lokeshwar Singh stated that police forces from the district and beyond are deployed, with a 100-meter court periphery declared a zero zone, allowing entry only for government employees and court attendees.

“Police arrangements have been made, with forces deployed from the district and other districts. The 100-meter periphery of the court premises has been designated a zero zone, restricting entry to only government employees and individuals appearing in court. Any unknown person would be barred from the court entry”, he said.

#WATCH | Kotdwar, Uttarakhand | Mother of Ankita Bhandari, Soni Devi, breaks down while remembering her daughter.

On Kotdwar court to pronounce its verdict today in the Ankita Bhandari murder case, her mother Soni Devi says, “…May the criminals be sentenced to death…I appeal… pic.twitter.com/rOxVZAMvhm

— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2025

It has been alleged that the facts related to this murder involved the son of the BJP leader and resort owner Pulkit Arya.

Ankita Bhandari, a resident of Pauri district, used to work in Vanantra Resort of Rishikesh. It is alleged that the resort owner, Pulkit Arya, and his associates Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit, had murdered Ankita by pushing her into a barrage.

Ankita Bhandari was a receptionist at Vananthara Resort, who was allegedly murdered by Pulkit Arya along with his friends Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta on 18 September 2022.

The body of Ankita Bhandari was recovered from the Chilla canal in Rishikesh on September 24. She was reported missing for at least six days before the officials found her body. An SIT headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police P Renuka Devi was initially probing the case. (ANI)