In the Ankita Bhandari murder case, the SIT has once again clarified that no VIP’s name has surfaced in the investigation so far. SP Rural Haridwar Shekhar Suyal, a member of the SIT formed after the murder, presented the facts of the investigation at a press conference on Saturday. He said that while a suspected VIP had been identified at the time, no evidence was found against him.
Suyal explained that immediately after the murder, it was being said that a VIP was supposed to visit the resort and that Ankita was being pressured to provide him with special services. When Ankita refused, she was murdered. At that time, it was a blind case. The case began as a missing person report. However, when the SIT started its investigation, all three accused were arrested within the first five hours.
The VIP was also mentioned in the chat between Ankita and her friend. Therefore, a thorough investigation was conducted. Statements from Ankita’s friend, Pushp, were also recorded. The resort staff, Ankita’s friends, and other documentary evidence were used as a basis for the investigation. A sketch was prepared, and the person was identified as Dharmendra alias Pradhan, a resident of Noida. Ankita’s friend, who had visited the resort before the incident, identified him. The SIT also included Dharmendra in the investigation. His movements at the resort and every aspect related to him were investigated.
No evidence was found against him. He had come there to buy land. A local acquaintance had taken him to the resort for a meal. Besides this, the SIT has not found any evidence of any other VIP visiting the resort. Suyal also clarified that the three convicts currently serving their sentences have confessed to pressuring Ankita to provide extra services. SIT is also investigating Urmila Sanawar’s allegations.
Taking serious note of the allegations made by actress Urmila Sanawar against former MLA Suresh Rathore and others through Facebook Live and audio recordings, and her statements related to the Ankita Bhandari case, a separate SIT has been formed. Every aspect of the case is being investigated. Urmila has been issued a notice asking her to appear and record her statement. She has also requested police protection online, but her whereabouts are not clear.
