Uttarakhand HC Rejects Bail Pleas of Three Convicts in Ankita Bhandari Murder Case
The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday dismissed the bail applications of three convicts sentenced to life imprisonment in the murder case of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari, who was killed in September 2022. The court's decision comes as a relief to the victim's family, who have been seeking justice since the brutal crime came to light.
The three convicts — Pulkit Arya, Ankit Gupta, and Saurabh Bhaskar — were found guilty by a lower court in May 2023 and sentenced to life imprisonment. They had moved the High Court seeking bail, citing alleged procedural irregularities and claiming their innocence. However, the bench, after hearing the arguments, found no merit in their pleas and rejected them.
Ankita Bhandari, a native of Pauri Garhwal, was working as a receptionist at a resort in Rishikesh owned by Pulkit Arya, the son of a former Bharatiya Janata Party leader. Her body was recovered from the Chilla canal in Rishikesh on September 24, 2022, three days after she went missing. The police registered a case of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code against the three accused.
The case had sparked widespread outrage, particularly after reports emerged that Ankita had allegedly been assaulted and thrown into the canal by the accused. The investigation revealed that the motive was anger over a complaint she had made regarding her working conditions. The subsequent legal proceedings were closely followed by the public, with many demanding the harshest punishment for the accused.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Uttarakhand government announced a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh to Ankita's family. Additionally, the state government provided government jobs to her brother and father, ensuring them a stable livelihood. This support was part of the government's efforts to assist the bereaved family, though no amount of compensation could undo the loss, officials said at the time.
The High Court's rejection of the bail pleas has been welcomed by legal experts and activists, who see it as a step towards ensuring that the convicts serve their full sentences. However, the legal battle is not yet over, as the convicts may choose to appeal further in the Supreme Court. The family of Ankita Bhandari has expressed hope that the judiciary will continue to uphold justice in the case.
The verdict also underscores the broader concerns around the safety of women in the hospitality sector and the importance of timely justice in cases of gender-based violence. While the punishment in this case has been pronounced, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the challenges that remain in protecting marginalised individuals and ensuring accountability for crimes against them.
As the case progresses through the courts, observers are keen to see how the legal system balances the rights of the accused with the demand for justice for the victim. For now, the denial of bail sends a clear signal that the judiciary is taking a firm stance on crimes against women, even as the final legal remedies are pursued.
