- CBI questions former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore in Ankita Bhandari case.
- Parents demand narco-tests for Rathore and Urmila Sanawar.
- Family seeks probe into alleged VIP involvement in the murder.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun questioning former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore in connection with the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari, a day after the 19-year-old’s parents met senior agency officials and sought narco-analysis tests on Rathore and actor Urmila Sanawar.
According to ANI, a CBI team was questioning Rathore at a guest house in Haridwar on Saturday. The development comes amid renewed demands from Ankita’s family for an investigation into the alleged VIP angle in the case.
Family Seeks Narco-Tests Over Alleged VIP Link
Ankita’s parents met the CBI Director on Friday in the presence of Lok Sabha MP Anil Baluni. They submitted a letter seeking narco-analysis tests on Rathore and Sanawar after an audio recording allegedly involving claims about a senior BJP leader’s role in the case went viral.
“Ankita’s parents also gave a letter demanding narco-tests on both Rathore and Sanawar, saying their audio recording recently went viral and it had allegations of involvement of a senior BJP leader in the case,” an officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, was quoted as saying.
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Speaking to ANI after the meeting, Ankita’s father, Virendra Singh Bhandari, said, “Our primary demand was that, given that Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s name has surfaced in connection with the case involving my daughter, Ankita Bhandari, he should not be administered the oath of office as a Governor or in any other official capacity until narco-analysis tests are conducted on Suresh Rathore and Urmila Sanawar.”
Parents Oppose Dushyant Gautam’s Appointment
The meeting followed a protest by Ankita’s parents at India Gate in Delhi, where they were detained while opposing the appointment of former Uttarakhand BJP in-charge Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim Governor.
The family has demanded that the appointment be put on hold until the CBI completes its investigation into the alleged VIP angle. Ankita’s father had earlier told Hindustan Times: “Dushyant Kumar should go to jail...because of the VIP my daughter was murdered.”
Gautam served as the BJP’s Uttarakhand in-charge from November 2020 to August 2026 and was appointed Sikkim Governor earlier this week.
Who Was Ankita Bhandari?
Ankita Bhandari, 19, worked as a receptionist at a resort in Uttarakhand. Her body was found in Pauri Garhwal in 2022. The case has continued to draw demands for justice and scrutiny over allegations of a VIP connection.