Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Police has provided a detailed account of the investigation and judicial proceedings in the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case, highlighting the swift arrest of the accused, the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), extensive evidence collection and the subsequent conviction of all three accused.
Addressing a press conference at Police Headquarters in Dehradun on Thursday, Additional Director General of Police (Crime and Law & Order), Dr. V. Murugesan, an IPS officer of 1997 batch, explained the measures taken by the police and the state government to investigate the case and secure convictions.
The case involved Ankita Bhandari, who was employed at Vanantara Resort near Rishikesh in 2022. Her murder had drawn widespread attention and raised serious concerns about women’s safety and accountability.
Dr. Murugesan said the Uttarakhand Police acted promptly after the incident came to light and ensured that the investigation was conducted through a dedicated team.
All Three Accused Arrested Within 24 Hours
According to Dr. Murugesan, police teams coordinated their efforts and arrested all three accused within 24 hours of the incident coming to light.
The three accused were identified as Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta.
He said the arrests were followed by a comprehensive investigation aimed at collecting evidence and establishing the circumstances surrounding the crime.
⚖️ Ankita Bhandari Murder Case: 3 Convicts Serving Life Sentences, Uttarakhand ADGP Details SIT Probe 🚨 Arrests within 24 hours, investigation completed in 88 days and a 500-page chargesheet! Uttarakhand ADGP (Crime & Law & Order) Dr. V. Murugesan has detailed the investigation and judicial proceedings in the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case during a press conference at Police Headquarters, Dehradun. 🔹 All three accused – Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta – were arrested within 24 hours of the incident coming to light. 🔹 A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a woman IPS officer of DIG rank, was constituted on the directions of CM Pushkar Singh Dhami. 🔹 The SIT collected extensive digital, technical, forensic and physical evidence, along with witness statements. 🔹 The investigation was completed in just 88 days, followed by the filing of an approximately 500-page chargesheet. ⚖️ On May 30, 2025, the Additional District and Sessions Court, Kotdwar, sentenced all three accused to rigorous life imprisonment. Dr. Murugesan highlighted the coordinated efforts of the SIT, Uttarakhand Police and prosecution in securing the convictions. All three convicts are currently serving their life sentences in jail. #AnkitaBhandari #UttarakhandPolice #IPS #VMurugesan #Justice #Uttarakhand #UttarakhandNews @uttarakhandcops @ukcmo
— Indian Masterminds (@i3masterminds) October 15, 2026
Woman IPS Officer of DIG Rank Appointed to Head SIT
Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the case, a Special Investigation Team was constituted immediately on the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
A woman IPS officer of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank was appointed to lead the SIT.
According to the ADGP, the decision was intended to ensure a thorough, effective and focused investigation into the murder.
The SIT was entrusted with examining the circumstances of the incident, collecting relevant evidence and preparing the case for prosecution.
SIT Collected Digital, Forensic and Physical Evidence
Dr. Murugesan said the SIT carried out an extensive investigation involving multiple categories of evidence.
Investigators collected digital, technical, forensic and physical evidence. The team also examined detailed interrogation records of the accused, forensic reports and statements recorded from witnesses.
The ADGP said the evidence was carefully examined and analysed to establish the facts of the case and support the prosecution before the court.
The investigation involved coordinating different sources of information and ensuring that the collected material could be presented during judicial proceedings.
Investigation Completed in 88 Days, 500-Page Chargesheet Filed
One of the major points highlighted during the press conference was the time taken to complete the investigation.
According to Dr. Murugesan, the SIT completed its investigation within 88 days and submitted a detailed chargesheet running to approximately 500 pages before the court.
The chargesheet incorporated the evidence gathered during the investigation, including forensic findings, technical material and witness statements.
The ADGP presented the completion of the investigation within this period as an important part of the police response to the case.
Kotdwar Court Sentenced All Three Accused to Life Imprisonment
The case subsequently proceeded before the Additional District and Sessions Court in Kotdwar.
On May 30, 2025, the court convicted all three accused—Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta—and sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment for life.
Dr. Murugesan attributed the convictions to the substantial evidence collected by the SIT and the arguments presented by the prosecution during the judicial proceedings.
He said the Uttarakhand government had taken the necessary steps to facilitate expeditious proceedings and effective prosecution.
According to the ADGP, all three convicts are currently lodged in jail and serving their life sentences.
Uttarakhand Police Highlights Investigation and Prosecution Efforts
During the press conference, Dr. Murugesan emphasised the coordinated efforts of the police, the SIT and the prosecution in handling the case.
He highlighted the arrests within 24 hours, the appointment of a DIG-rank woman IPS officer to head the investigation, the collection of forensic and technical evidence, and the filing of a detailed chargesheet within 88 days.
The police briefing also reiterated the outcome of the judicial proceedings, with all three accused convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in May 2025.
The briefing placed particular emphasis on the investigation and prosecution processes that led to the convictions in one of Uttarakhand’s most widely discussed criminal cases.
Read also: Uttarakhand to Hold Pravasi Conference on November 13 to Discuss State Development
