Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Dhami Says CBI Probe Will Reveal Truth, Slams Congress Protest
Ankita Bhandari was a 19-year-old receptionist who was murdered in 2022.
Her body was found in the Chilla Canal four days later.
A resort owner and two staff members were convicted in the case.
The three convicts received life sentences, and their bail requests were rejected.
Ankita’s parents asked for a CBI investigation.
The Uttarakhand government recommended that investigation in January.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the CBI will find the full truth.
Congress held a protest because it says the identity of an alleged VIP connected to the case has not been revealed.
Dhami criticized the protest and said action had already been taken.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the ongoing CBI investigation will reveal the complete truth in Ankita Bhandari’s murder case.
Dhami said the state recommended the CBI probe in January at Ankita’s parents’ request.
Congress held a ‘Nyay March’ near Rishikesh, alleging that authorities were delaying the investigation into the alleged VIP connection.
Congress leader Ganesh Godiyal said the alleged VIP’s identity remains unknown four years after Ankita’s death.
Ankita was murdered on September 18, 2022; three convicts received life imprisonment and their bail petitions were rejected by the Uttarakhand High Court.
- Who
- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Congress leaders, and investigators are involved; Ankita Bhandari was the victim.
- What
- A political dispute has emerged over the ongoing CBI investigation into Ankita Bhandari’s murder and the alleged involvement of a VIP guest.
- When
- Ankita was murdered on September 18, 2022; Congress held its protest on the fourth anniversary.
- Where
- The protest took place near Rishikesh, including at the gates of the now-defunct Vanantra Resort in Ganga Bhogpur Talla.
- Why
- The CBI probe was recommended at Ankita’s parents’ request, while Congress is demanding disclosure of the alleged VIP’s identity and accountability for any remaining perpetrators.
Congress and Protesters
Uttarakhand Government
Progress of the CBI investigation
Congress and Protesters
Congress leaders alleged that the BJP-led governments stalled the CBI investigation and that there has been no visible progress or accountability.
Uttarakhand Government
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the investigation is underway and will bring the complete truth to light.
Disclosure of the alleged VIP’s identity
Congress and Protesters
Congress demanded that authorities identify the alleged VIP guest who was reportedly linked to the crime and promised further prosecutions if necessary.
Uttarakhand Government
The government has not announced the alleged VIP’s identity in the report and says the ongoing CBI probe will establish the facts.
Government response to the murder
Congress and Protesters
Congress argued that people have waited four years for answers and criticized the state and central governments’ handling of the case.
Uttarakhand Government
Dhami highlighted the administration’s action, including recommending a CBI probe and noting that the three convicts received life imprisonment.
- Victim
- Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist
- Date of murder
- September 18, 2022
- CBI probe
- Recommended by the Uttarakhand government in January at the request of Ankita’s parents
- Convictions
- Three convicts received life imprisonment
- Bail status
- The convicts’ bail petitions were rejected by the Uttarakhand High Court
- Congress protest
- A ‘Nyay March’ was held near Rishikesh on the fourth death anniversary
- Alleged VIP
- Congress says the identity of the alleged VIP linked to the crime remains unknown