In a landmark verdict that stirred memories of a crime that shook the nation, a Kotdwar court in Uttarakhand on Friday sentenced Pulkit Arya, son of a former BJP leader, and two others to life imprisonment for the 2022 murder of 19-year-old receptionist Ankita Bhandari. Arya, along with resort manager Saurabh Bhaskar and employee Ankit Gupta, was found guilty after a 14-month-long trial that drew widespread media and public attention.
Ankita was employed at Vanantara Resort in the Yamkeshwar area of Pauri district, owned by Pulkit Arya. She went missing on September 18, 2022. Her body was recovered days later from the Chilla canal, sparking protests and public outrage across Uttarakhand and beyond.
The court imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on each of the three convicts. The Additional District and Sessions Judge found them guilty under charges including murder (Section 302), disappearance of evidence (Section 201), sexual harassment (Section 354A), and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Authorities also invoked the Gangster Act later in the case.
The incident took a dark turn when investigations revealed that Ankita had allegedly been pressured to offer "special services" to resort guests. She had reportedly refused and threatened to expose the illegal operations at the resort. On the night she disappeared, she was taken to Rishikesh with the three men. On their return journey, a heated argument broke out, and she was allegedly pushed into the canal. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a 500-page chargesheet with 97 witnesses, 47 of whom testified during the trial that began in March 2023. Public outcry was also fueled by early accusations of political interference and mishandling of the case due to Arya’s influential background.
As the court handed down the sentence, Ankita’s family expressed mixed emotions. Her mother, who had earlier appealed for the death penalty, thanked the judiciary but reiterated that justice would only feel complete with capital punishment. She urged citizens to continue supporting the family’s pursuit of justice. The verdict has reignited debates around women’s safety, the power wielded by politically connected individuals, and the importance of judicial transparency. Civil rights groups and women’s organizations across the country have welcomed the decision, calling it a “step toward accountability.”
