The case of Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist murdered in Uttarakhand, India, in September 2022, has culminated in a life sentence for the three accused: Pulkit Arya, the resort owner and son of a former BJP leader, and his two employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta. The Additional District and Sessions Judge in Kotdwar delivered the verdict on May 30, 2025, nearly three years after the crime that sparked widespread outrage and protests.

Ankita Bhandari worked at the Vanantra Resort in Yamkeshwar, Pauri Garhwal district. Less than a month into her job, she was killed after resisting pressure to provide "special services" to resort guests. According to police investigations, on the night of September 18, 2022, a dispute arose between Ankita and Pulkit Arya, along with his two staff members. Following a heated confrontation, Ankita was allegedly forced into a vehicle and pushed into the Cheela canal, a dangerous irrigation channel.

The case quickly escalated from a missing person report to a high-profile murder investigation. Six days after she was last seen, Ankita's body was recovered from the canal on September 24, 2022. The post-mortem examination confirmed drowning as the cause of death but also revealed multiple injuries indicative of blunt force trauma. Although initial reports suggested possible sexual assault, viscera samples tested negative.

The news of Ankita's murder triggered immense public anger. Locals attacked the police vehicle transporting the accused, and protests erupted across the state, demanding justice for Ankita. The Uttarakhand government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder, and parts of the Vanantra Resort were demolished, sparking controversy amid allegations of evidence destruction.

The investigation involved interviewing over 100 individuals, including resort employees, forensic experts, and Ankita's friends. The prosecution argued that Ankita was targeted for resisting Arya's attempts to force her into prostitution, a claim supported by chats, audio recordings, and witness testimony. A 500-page charge sheet was filed, and 47 witnesses were examined during the trial, which began in January 2023.

Throughout the trial, key details emerged, highlighting the pressures Ankita faced. She reportedly confided in a friend about being forced to provide sexual services to a VIP guest for ₹10,000. On the night of her death, she expressed feeling scared. The FIR revealed that the accused feared Ankita might expose their illegal activities.

The demolition of the resort shortly after Ankita's murder raised suspicions of evidence tampering. Incidents of fire at a nearby resort and factory further fueled speculation about attempts to cover up the crime.

The political connections of the main accused added another layer of complexity to the case. Pulkit Arya is the son of Vinod Arya, a former BJP leader who was subsequently expelled from the party. This connection led to accusations of political shielding and demands for a CBI investigation. The BJP government stated that the term "VIP" referred to a "VIP room" at the resort, not an individual, but Ankita's mother publicly named a BJP leader in connection with the case, further intensifying the political controversy.

The court convicted Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, and Ankit Gupta under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, destruction of evidence, criminal conspiracy, sexual harassment, and provisions of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act. In addition to life imprisonment, the court imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on each of the convicts.

Following the verdict, Ankita's mother expressed her desire for the death penalty for the accused, urging the public to continue supporting the family's pursuit of justice. The Ankita Bhandari case has not only highlighted the vulnerability of young women in similar situations but has also raised critical questions about the nexus between political influence, crime, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.