Suo moto intervention of SC CJI sought in Ankita Bhandari murder case

Suo moto intervention of SC CJI sought in Ankita Bhandari murder case

S.M.A.KAZMI

Dehradun, Feb 25

In a significant development, the Ankita Nyay Yatra Sanyukt Sangharsh Manch, representing various social-civil organizations and concerned citizens of Uttarakhand, has formally petitioned the Chief Justice of India (CJI) of Supreme Court. The representation urges the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the Ankita Bhandari murder case to ensure a fair, independent, and time-bound investigation.

Kamla Pant, the Convenor of the Manch in the letter asserted that while the Sessions Court in Kotdwar has punished the direct perpetrators, the investigation has reached a standstill regarding the “VIP persons” involved. The Manch alleged that Ankita’s refusal to provide “special services” to these highly placed individuals led to the crime, yet these facts were not adequately examined in the initial SIT probe. The current chargesheet only names the three direct accused, leaving the core of the suspected conspiracy unaddressed.

The representation to the CJI highlighted “serious allegations” regarding the destruction of evidence. It said that there is a widespread public perception that crucial evidentiary material was compromised. The Manch demanded that those responsible for such destruction be held accountable, as they are “integral to the offence”.

The letter further said that the public sentiment in Uttarakhand remains aggrieved, leading to rallies and the Uttarakhand Bandh since the involvement of ‘ VIP persons’ came to focus in the past two months.

The representation feared that although the state government has announced a CBI investigation on January 9, 2026, but the direction of the probe appeared to shift following a separate FIR by a personal close to the ruling dispensation than the one lodged by the parents of the deceased. This shift has created significant doubts regarding the impartiality of the current proceedings, it stated.

Following a Maha Panchayat in Dehradun on February 8, 2026, a unanimous demand was made for the investigation to be conducted under the direct supervision of a sitting Supreme Court judge, the demand reiterated by the parents of the deceased.

Kamla Pant in the latter argued that the intervention by the Supreme Court was necessary under Articles 32, 142, and 21 of the Constitution to protect the “right to life and justice”. The Manch emphasizes that this is not a political move but a struggle for “social self-respect” and the “dignity of the Constitution”.

It was prayed that the Supreme Court issue necessary directions to concerned agencies to maintain complete impartiality and ensure the victim’s family receives justice without fear or influence.

Meanwhile, the Ankita Nyaya Sanyukt Sangharsh Manch has decided to hold a silent march from Gandhi Park on February 26th to meet the Governor on the Ankita murder case. Similar, ‘Nyay Panchayats’ will also be organized in every district/city/block headquarters, starting with Gairsain during the coming budget session of the state assembly.

The Ankita Nyay Sanyukt Sangharsh Manch has also decided to focus on the issue of women’s safety in Uttarakhand addressing the sexual exploitation of women, the rise in crime, and anti-humanitarian acts due to hotel resorts and drug abuse in Uttarakhand. The threat to human life posed by the terror of wild animals, especially the issue of women’s safety, will also be strongly raised.

At a meeting of active members of the Ankita Nyay Yatra Sanyukt Sangharsh Manch at the Martyr’s Memorial, Dehradun strong anger was expressed over the manner in which the government initiated a CBI investigation into the Ankita murder case based on an FIR filed by its’ close associate Anil Joshi (who had no involvement in the case).

Speakers at the meeting also expressed deep anger that three phone calls and two emails made to the office of the Uttarakhand Governor for a meeting by Brigadier Dangwal (retd), a senior activist on behalf of the manch, did not elicit any response.