Ankita Bhandari murder: BJP expels accused's father; locals torch resort
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday expelled senior party leader and former minister in Uttarakhand Vinod Arya over the involvement of his son Pulkit Arya in the murder of a young resort receptionist Ankita Bhandari, NDTV reported. The accused's brother Ankit Arya was also removed as vice president of the state OBC Commission. Meanwhile, locals set fire to the resort at which Bhandari worked.
Father, brother of accused stripped of posts after outrage
According to reports, the BJP's move was prompted by public outrage over Bhandari's death that came to the fore after her body was fished out. Vinod Arya was the head of the Uttarakhand Mati Kala Board which is equivalent to a state minister, while Ankit Arya was the Vice President of the state OBC Commission. The state government also stripped them of their positions.
What do we know about the case so far?
On Saturday, the body of Bhandari (19), who went missing several days ago, was fished out from Rishikesh's Chilla canal. Pulkit and two others were arrested on Friday for allegedly pushing her into the canal following a dispute on Sunday. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident.
Angry protesters set the resort ablaze
Meanwhile, residents protested against the accused and BJP leaders. The irate residents also set fire to parts of a resort building where Pulkit reportedly murdered the 19-year-old lady a day after the authorities demolished it. They also destroyed the automobile of local BJP MLA Renu Bisht. She apparently needed to be taken to safety by the police.
Resort demolished by civic authorities
Following the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's directions, civic officials demolished the resort overnight. On Saturday morning, the woman's body was discovered in a canal. Police are investigating the reason amid charges of inactivity owing to the accused political ties with the state's ruling party, the BJP, and the RSS. The authorities have not confirmed reports that the teenager was coerced into prostitution.
Opposition reacted sharply; accused delayed action
The opposition Congress claimed that officers delayed the action in the case because the accused was affiliated to the RSS-BJP. "It's horrific. When the girl went missing on September 18, why did the police register the FIR on September 21?" said state Congress spokesperson Garima Mehra Dasauni. "Till when will this brazen misuse of power by BJP and RSS leaders continue?" she questioned.
