Ankita Bhandari Murder: Ex-Top Cop Questions Resort Demolition, Says Evidence Could Have Been Destroyed
A former top cop from Uttarakhand has become the latest to question the hasty demolition of the resort in which murdered teenager Ankita Bhandari used to work. The Vanatara resort in Rishikesh owned by the prime accused, Pulkit Arya, the son of expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya was partly demolished by the government and later set on fire by angry locals. But many had pointed out that the demolition even before the probe was completed akin to a cove...Read More
A former top cop from Uttarakhand has become the latest to question the hasty demolition of the resort in which murdered teenager Ankita Bhandari used to work.
The Vanatara resort in Rishikesh owned by the prime accused, Pulkit Arya, the son of expelled BJP leader Vinod Arya was partly demolished by the government and later set on fire by angry locals.
ANI
Resort demolition: action or cover-up?
But many had pointed out that the demolition even before the probe was completed akin to a cover-up and crucial evidence in the case could be lost.
Former Uttarakhand DGP Aloke B Lal has said the hurry in the demolition of the resort in question in the Ankita Bhandari murder case must have destroyed crucial evidence.
"It seems to me that the proper procedure of a demolition of the so-called illegal resort was not followed in this case. Usually, a show-cause notice is issued before any such exercise is undertaken," Lal told PTI.
Illegal construction of resort owned by Pulkit Arya, son of BJP leader who is accused of Ankita Bhandari murd€r case was bulldozed by Uttarakhand BJP Government.
¡ª MohitWadhwa (@mohitwadhwa01) September 24, 2022
BJP proved once again, all criminals will be treated equally.#JusticeForAnkita #ankitabhandari pic.twitter.com/iBwCxodBL4
Who demolished the resort?
"However, in this case, bulldozers razed portions of the resort in the dead of night without any prior notice. The sudden action must have destroyed crucial evidence in the case," he added.
He also expressed doubts about who carried out the demolition and wondered if it was carried out by the accused persons themselves.
On the Pauri district administration's claim that videography of the resort had been done on September 22 itself, two days before a bulldozer razed parts of it and that all evidence was intact in the video footage, the former DGP said videography cannot record such forensic evidence like strands of hair, sweat, saliva or semen drops which would have been crucial to establish relevant facts.
BCCL
He wondered where was the footage recorded on the CCTV cameras of the resort. That will have vital evidence to establish what happened before the alleged scuffle took place.
Allegations of cover-up
Ever since the case surfaced, there have been allegations of a coverup as the accused is the son of a powerful politician.
Twitter
It is alleged that Pulkit was forcing Ankita who was working as a receptionist in the resort to provide 'special service' to a visiting VIP.
Former staff members allege prostitution in the resort
Following the murder, many former staffers there have alleged that prostitution and the use of illegal drugs were rampant there.
Meanwhile, the SIT probing the Ankita Bhandari murder case on Tuesday recovered a grey Activa and a black Pulsar motorcycle, which were said to be used in the crime.
The recovered scooter and the bike are understood to have been used in taking Ankita by her killers to the Chilla canal into which she was pushed by them.
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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