Ankita Bhandari Murder Case: The parents and driver of the late Ankita Bhandari had a terrifying encounter with a bear while returning to their village after meeting Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The incident occurred at Dobh-Srikot, Pauri Garhwal, when Ankita’s mother, Soni Devi, stepped out of the vehicle feeling unwell. Ankita’s father, Virendra Bhandari, and the driver also exited the car.
Just then, a bear appeared. “My wife was vomiting when a bear suddenly started moving toward us. The sight of it frightened everyone, and the three quickly got into the vehicle. The driver sped off towards the village, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief,” Virendra Bhandari said.
He added that bears are frequently seen in Dobh-Srikot and surrounding areas, causing panic among locals, and called on the district administration and forest department to take measures to eliminate the threat.
According to a report by Jagran.com, Ankita Bhandari’s parents had travelled to Dehradun on January 7 to meet Chief Minister Dhami. The following day, as they were returning home, they encountered the bear and narrowly escaped.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dhami has recommended a CBI investigation into the murder case of the late Ankita Bhandari, following a request from her parents. He emphasised that the government is committed to ensuring justice “in a fair, transparent, and sensitive manner from beginning to end.”
He added that the state government had acted promptly after the tragedy, forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under a woman IPS officer. “All the accused connected with the case were promptly arrested, and effective and strong legal prosecution was ensured by the state government. None of the accused was granted bail during the investigation and trial. After a thorough investigation by the SIT, charge sheets were filed, and upon completion of the hearing, the trial court awarded life imprisonment to the accused,” the Chief Minister said.
He also reiterated that he recently met Ankita’s parents, who requested a CBI investigation. “We thought that her parents were the most affected, and we should certainly hear them. I spoke with them, and they said that there should be a CBI investigation. Honouring this, we are recommending a CBI investigation into the matter,” he said.
Back in September 2022, Ankita Bhandari was killed and after the conviction of the accused fresh allegations have surfaced, implicating a VIP senior BJP leader. The revelations have sparked protests across Uttarakhand, with opposition parties, including the Congress and Left, and civil society groups demanding a CBI inquiry into the entire case.