Congress leaders and workers led by Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee president Ganesh Godiyal clashed with police near Yamkeshwar on Friday while trying to march towards the Vanantara Resort on the death anniversary of Ankita Bhandari.
The incident followed a Shradhanjali Sabha held at Bhogpur Talla in Yamkeshwar in memory of the 19-year-old receptionist, who was allegedly murdered in September 2022. After the memorial meeting, a large group of Congress workers moved towards the resort, where Bhandari had worked and where the alleged crime took place. Police stopped the march, resulting in a confrontation.
Bhandari was employed as a receptionist at the Vanantara Resort in Rishikesh. Her body was recovered from the Cheela Canal on September 24, 2022.
Congress leader and AICC Uttarakhand in-charge Kumari Selja had on Thursday criticised the BJP government in the state over alleged threats to advocate Navneesh Negi, who represents Bhandari's family. She described the matter as extremely serious and questioned the law and order situation in Uttarakhand.
Selja said the alleged threats to an advocate pursuing justice for Bhandari raised questions about whether criminals were receiving protection in the state. She also said that the case had already exposed serious concerns about the system and that the safety of the lawyer had added to those concerns.
Calling for immediate security for Negi, Selja demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged threats, action against those responsible and concrete steps towards bringing an Advocate Protection Act in the state. She said there should be no fear of criminals in Devbhoomi and that the rule of law must prevail.
The case returned to public attention after an FIR was registered against an unidentified VIP in January 2026. The development followed allegations and viral audio and video clips suggesting the possible involvement of a VIP.
The Central Bureau of Investigation registered the case through its Special Crime Branch after Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recommended a CBI probe on January 9, 2026. The agency has taken custody of case-related records, including the Special Investigation Team report, the police FIR and other documents.
The CBI is also expected to record the statement of Dr Anil Prakash Joshi, who filed the FIR. The investigation followed protests across Uttarakhand seeking a CBI inquiry into the alleged VIP angle in Bhandari's murder.
Resort owner Pulkit Arya, manager Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankita Gupta have already been sentenced to life imprisonment in the case.
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