Mobilisation in full swing for ‘Mahapanchayat’ seeking justice for Ankita Bhandari on Feb 8
Mobilisation in full swing for ‘Mahapanchayat’ seeking justice for Ankita Bhandari on Feb 8
Dehradun, Feb 1
Mobilisation for the proposed ‘Mahapanchayat’ seeking justice for Ankita Bhandari has intensified with a meeting held at Srinagar Garhwal today which resolved to go to the villages and towns throughout the state.
A ‘Mahapanchayat; will be held by the ‘Ankita Nyaya Yatra Sanyukt Sangharash Samiti’, a conglomerate of various organisations to seek justice for Ankita Bhandari on February 8, 2026 in Dehradun. Ankita Bhandari working ina tourist resort was murdered by her employer, son of a RSS leader in 2022 for refusing to provide ‘special services’ to a VIP client of the resort. Three persons involved in the murder were sentenced and are in jail. However, there had been an unprecedented outcry by the general masses to know about the VIP involved. The police investigation had failed to identify the VIP.
Various speakers who reached Srinagar Garhwal expressed their dismay at the unusual delay in getting a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court Judge started. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had ordered a probe by CBI on January 9, 2026
Kamla Pant, convenor of the ‘Ankita Nyaya Yatra Sanyukt Sangharash Samiti’, said that the inordinate delay by the government following the announcement of CBI probe creates doubts about the intentions of the ruling dispensation. She hoped that the success of the ‘Mahapanchayat’ would be watershed moment for Uttarakhand state.
Dr Mukesh Semwal of ‘Justice for Anikta Committee’ said that the general masses of the state are with the parents of Ankita Bhandari who had demanded CBI inquiry under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court Judge.
Lalita Rawat of Mahila Ekta Manch, Ramnagar said that CBI probe should also look into the issue of destruction of evidence in the case allegedly by Yamkeshwar ruling party legislator and others.
Members of many organisations participated in the meeting and extended their support for the proposed ‘ Mahapanchayat’ at Dehradun on Februray 8, 2026. Those who participated included All India Students Association (AISA), All India Democratic Students Association (AIDSO), Pragtisheel Janmanch, Rashtriya Regional party and social activist Sheeba Chaudhary.
