By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 8 Jan: With the political storm over the Ankita Bhandari murder case still brewing, sources in the government have indicated that the government is seriously mulling ordering a CBI inquiry into the case. It may be recalled that, late last evening, parents of the late Ankita Bhandari had met Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his residence and were assured that he would respect their demand.
The Ankita Bhandari murder case has witnessed several significant developments over the past 24 hours, with indications emerging that a CBI inquiry may be ordered following the meeting of Ankita’s parents with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. It may be recalled that Congress has launched a massive agitation over the issue and has been pressing for a CBI inquiry into the case. A statewide Bandh has also been announced by the Opposition parties on 11 January.
Meanwhile, the SIT has questioned Urmila Sanawar in Dehradun and Haridwar, during which the so called digital evidence has been submitted in form of the audio conversation between actor Urmila Sanawar and former MLA Suresh Rathore, in which the name of a senior national BJP leader was mentioned. At the same time, Suresh Rathore, the former BJP MLA who had claimed to have made a ‘revelation’ regarding a VIP in the case, has received interim relief from the High Court, which has stayed his arrest.
Against this backdrop, the meeting between Ankita’s parents and the Chief Minister assumes particular significance amid the ongoing agitation. Ankita’s father Virendra Singh and mother Soni Devi have submitted a letter to the CM seeking a CBI investigation under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge. Following the meeting held last evening, Ankita’s parents reiterated in their interaction with the media that they continue to demand a CBI probe and are awaiting an announcement by the CM in this regard. They also stated that they want the alleged VIP to be brought before them.
Distressed by questions and allegations raised after their meeting with the CM, Ankita’s parents said they are not for sale and that while they had lost their daughter, they were now fighting for justice for other daughters. There were some claims on social media and media that the parents had been pressurised and compromised by the government. However, the parents stated that they had clearly conveyed to the CM their demand for a CBI investigation and appeared deeply hurt by allegations suggesting that they could be influenced for money running into crores.
Meanwhile, Dhami, while informally interacting with the media today, said that a decision would be taken in accordance with the wishes of Ankita’s parents. He also observed that those in the opposition who had created an uproar on the basis of one audio clip should now also speak on the newly viral audio. It may be noted that another audio clip allegedly involving Urmila Sanawar and Suresh Rathore has gone viral, in which there is purported talk of maligning Dushyant Gautam.
The CM reminded that the protests triggered by a single audio clip have adversely affected development works over the past 15 days. He added that those responsible for spoiling the atmosphere in the state through conspiracy, misinformation, provocation and incitement should apologise to the people of Uttarakhand. He reiterated that a decision would be taken in keeping with the sentiments of Ankita’s parents, while legal proceedings related to the case would continue simultaneously.
Meanwhile, the questioning of Urmila Sanawar by the police, which began yesterday in Dehradun continued today in Haridwar. It is learnt that the SIT questioned her for several hours and posed multiple questions to her. Some people close to her in fact also claimed that Sanawar may speak to the media tonight or tomorrow and has also apprehended her possible arrest in the wake of a Non Bailable Warrant against her.
On the other hand, Swami Darshan Bharti, who had brought Urmila Sanawar from Delhi to Dehradun, has also remained in the public eye and has been actively engaging with the media. He is also facing intense trolling on social media, and his sudden entry into the case at a crucial juncture has sparked widespread speculation. Bharti’s past is also being discussed on social media following his entry into the scene in this case. Bharti during his interaction with the media today alleged that Urmila Sanawar might have been pressurised by Rathore to take the name of a VIP.
Following the viral audio and video clips relating to the alleged VIP, protests have continued across the state. Preparations are also underway for a statewide Uttarakhand bandh on 11 January, further underlining the heightened public and political tension surrounding the case.
