A sessions court in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, on Friday convicted Pulkit Arya, owner of Vanantra Resort and son of expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya, along with his two employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, for the 2022 murder of 19-year-old receptionist Ankita Bhandari.
The verdict was pronounced by Additional District and Sessions Judge Reena Negi, who had heard the final arguments on May 19. The court found the trio guilty under Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (murder), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
According to the prosecution, Ankita had a dispute with Pulkit Arya, following which he, along with Bhaskar and Gupta, pushed her into the Chilla canal near Rishikesh on September 18, 2022. Her body was recovered six days later.
Also read: "May the criminals be sentenced to death," says Ankita Bhandari's mother ahead of court verdict
The case garnered widespread attention due to the political connections of the main accused and led to public outcry across Uttarakhand. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, which filed a 500-page chargesheet. During the trial, 47 witnesses were examined.
Ankita's mother, Soni Devi, expressed her anguish and demanded the death penalty for the convicts. "May the criminals be sentenced to death," she said, urging the public to support the family in their quest for justice.
The sentencing is awaited, and the case continues to evoke strong reactions from the victim's family and the public, underscoring broader concerns regarding justice and safety.
The courtroom in Kotdwar witnessed heightened security during the verdict announcement, reflecting the case's sensitivity and public interest.
(With inputs from ToI)
The verdict was pronounced by Additional District and Sessions Judge Reena Negi, who had heard the final arguments on May 19. The court found the trio guilty under Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (murder), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
According to the prosecution, Ankita had a dispute with Pulkit Arya, following which he, along with Bhaskar and Gupta, pushed her into the Chilla canal near Rishikesh on September 18, 2022. Her body was recovered six days later.
Also read: "May the criminals be sentenced to death," says Ankita Bhandari's mother ahead of court verdict
The case garnered widespread attention due to the political connections of the main accused and led to public outcry across Uttarakhand. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, which filed a 500-page chargesheet. During the trial, 47 witnesses were examined.
Ankita's mother, Soni Devi, expressed her anguish and demanded the death penalty for the convicts. "May the criminals be sentenced to death," she said, urging the public to support the family in their quest for justice.
The sentencing is awaited, and the case continues to evoke strong reactions from the victim's family and the public, underscoring broader concerns regarding justice and safety.
The courtroom in Kotdwar witnessed heightened security during the verdict announcement, reflecting the case's sensitivity and public interest.
(With inputs from ToI)
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