‘Mahapanchayat’ resolved to continue the fight seeking justice for Ankita Bhandari

‘Mahapanchayat’ resolved to continue the fight seeking justice for Ankita Bhandari

S.M.A. KAZMI

Dehradun, Feb 8

A ‘Mahapanchayat’ held by the ‘Ankita Nyaya Yatra Sanyukt Sangharash Samiti’, a conglomerate of various organisations to seek justice for Ankita Bhandari, held here today decided to continue the fight till final justice would be delivered in the case.

Hundreds of people from a large number of social political and cultural organisations converged in front of the historic parade for the ‘Mahapanchayat’ despite efforts being made by the state administration to deny space for such a gathering. Although the announcement to hold a ‘Mahapanchayat’ was held last month, the state administration instead allowed holding of a four day ‘Uttarayani’ festival under the tutelage of Geeta Dhami,  wife of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the venue. Despite pressure from the police and administration to change the venue, the ‘Ankita Nyaya  Yatra Sanyukt Sangharash Samiti’, did not budge and remain adamant on holding the ‘Mahapanchayat’ at the same place. However, since the parade ground was already occupied, the ‘Mahapanchayat’ was held outside the ground.

A large number of speakers reiterated the demand for complete justice in the Ankita Bhandari murder case with revelation of name of the VIP involved in the case. Ankita Bhandari ,a 19 year old girl was brutally murdered by the owner of a tourist resort where she was working for her refusal to provide ‘Special Services’ to a VIP guest. The owner of the resort who is son of a senior RSS functionary and his two accomplices were arrested and charged with the murder and presently lodged in the jail.

However, the case again hit the headlines when Urmila Sanawar who claimed herself to be the second wife of a former BJP legislator came out with an audio recording which the said legislator was saying that one ‘Gattu’ was the VIP who was to visit the “Vantara” resort where Ankita Bhandari worked. This created a furore in Uttarakhand with demand for an inquiry by the Central Bureau of investigation (CBI) to be supervised by a sitting Supreme Court judge from every nook and corner of the state. A massive rally was taken out by the people to the residence of the Chief Minister on Jauary 4, 2026 to seek justice for Ankita Bhandari. Under pressure, Chief Minister Dhami called the parents of Ankita Bhandari to Dehradun from their native place in Pauri Garhwal district, who submitted a letter seeking CBI probe under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court Judge.  The state government did recommend a CBI probe but with an alleged ulterior motive. Suddenly, while the Chief Minister announced a CBI inquiry, Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi, an environmentalist who is considered close to ruling regime filed a FIR in the case seeking to know the name of the VIP involved.

Dissatisfied with the government move,  the ‘Ankita Nyaya  Yatra Sanyukt Sangharash Samiti’ decided to hold a ‘Mahapanchayat’ at Dehradun on February 8, 2026. The parents of Ankita Bhandari participated in the ‘Mahapanchayat’ along with other leaders and workers.

Virender Singh Bhandari, father of Ankita Bhandari said that an impression was being given that they have done some kind of a deal with the Chief Minister during their meeting. Stoutly denying of being sold, Virender Singh Bhandari said that they had asked the Chief Minister to hold a Supreme court monitored CBI probe into the case. “ When my daughter did not bow to the wishes of the VIP how we as parents can compromise,” he asked.

He also wondered about the locus standi of Dr Anil Prakash Joshi in filing a FIR. “I have never met him or known him,” he said.

Kamla Pant, convenor of the forum said that the struggle will continue until the demands are met. She further said that when Ankita Bhandari’s parents demanded a CBI investigation under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court judge, keeping the VIPs in mind, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami only agreed to a CBI investigation, which shows that efforts are still being made to protect the VIPs.

The ‘Mahapanchayat’ resolved that if no action was taken on the demand of Ankita Bhandari’s parents, an another ‘ Mahapanchayat’ would be held and a memorandum would be presented to the President of India. It was also resolved that CBI probe should only be based on the complaint of Ankita Bhandari’s parent and not that of Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi who has no Locus standi in the matter.  The FIR lodged by Dr. Joshi would be quashed and the probe should be into the role of the VIP involved.

Virender Singh Bhandari also demanded that the phone call records of Yamkeshwar BJP legislator Renuka Bisht with all the murder accused should be checked thoroughly as she was the one who carried out the demolition of building of ‘Vantara’ resort to destroy the crucial evidence of the murder case.