Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Congress Demands Status Report in Uttarakhand Receptionist Murder Case
A young receptionist at a resort in Uttarakhand was allegedly murdered in 2022.
Reports say she was thrown into a canal after refusing to provide special services to a VIP guest.
The case caused large protests.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami handed the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation in January.
Congress says people have not been told what the investigation has found.
It wants the investigation report made public.
Congress also says a VIP connected to the case should be arrested if evidence supports it.
The BJP says Congress is using the case to create trouble for the government.
A 19-year-old receptionist at Vanantara Resort was allegedly murdered on September 18, 2022.
The victim was allegedly assaulted and thrown into a canal after refusing “special services” to at least one VIP guest.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation in January this year.
Congress workers held sit-ins across Uttarakhand, demanding that the probe’s status be made public.
The BJP accused Congress of conspiring against the government while using the murder case as a pretext.
- Who
- A 19-year-old receptionist was the alleged victim; Congress, the BJP, the Uttarakhand government and the Central Bureau of Investigation are involved in the current dispute.
- What
- Congress is demanding publication of the investigation status report in the alleged murder case and action against the VIP it says is involved.
- When
- The alleged murder occurred on September 18, 2022; the case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation in January this year, and Congress protests occurred on Friday and Saturday.
- Where
- The alleged murder took place at Vanantara Resort near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand; Congress workers held protests in several Uttarakhand districts.
- Why
- Congress says the investigation’s progress is unclear and alleges that political influence is protecting a VIP; the BJP rejects the allegation and accuses Congress of conspiring against the government.
Congress’s Claims
BJP’s Response
Investigation transparency
Congress’s Claims
Congress says there is no clarity about the Central Bureau of Investigation’s progress and is demanding that the status report be made public.
BJP’s Response
The BJP article does not provide a detailed account of the investigation’s progress, but state general secretary Tarun Bansal accused Congress of conspiring against the government.
Alleged VIP involvement
Congress’s Claims
Congress alleges that a VIP guest was involved and says the person should be arrested and punished if the investigation supports the allegation.
BJP’s Response
The BJP rejects Congress’s broader political accusations, describing its campaign around the case as a conspiracy against the government.
- Victim
- A 19-year-old receptionist at Vanantara Resort
- Incident date
- September 18, 2022
- Location
- Vanantara Resort, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- Investigation agency
- Central Bureau of Investigation
- Transfer of case
- Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami handed the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation in January this year
- Congress demand
- Publication of the probe status report and action against the alleged VIP
- BJP response
- The BJP accused Congress of conspiring against the government