Nainital. The High Court has delivered a significant verdict in the high-profile Ankita Bhandari murder case of Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand High Court has rejected the bail pleas of the three convicted accused—Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, and Ankit Gupta. A division bench comprising Justice Ravindra Maithani and Justice Siddharth Shah announced this decision on Wednesday following a two-day hearing.
All three accused are currently serving life imprisonment sentences. Following this High Court ruling, they will remain in jail. The Ankita Bhandari murder case had shaken the entire state of Uttarakhand, sparking widespread public outrage that persisted for a long time.
Two-Day High Court Hearing
According to reports, bail petitions were filed in the High Court on behalf of the three accused. A division bench comprising Justice Ravindra Maithani and Justice Siddharth Shah heard these petitions over two consecutive days.
During the proceedings, arguments were presented by both the prosecution and the defense. The defense sought bail for the accused, whereas the prosecution opposed it, citing the gravity of the crime and the facts associated with the case.
After hearing all parties, the High Court rejected the bail pleas of the three accused.
What is the Ankita Bhandari Murder Case?
The Ankita Bhandari murder case came to light in September 2022. Nineteen-year-old Ankita Bhandari worked as a receptionist at a resort in the Yamkeshwar area of Pauri Garhwal district. Her death under suspicious circumstances triggered protests across the state.
The investigation revealed that the resort owner, Pulkit Arya, and two of his employees—Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta—were accused of murdering Ankita. All three were arrested following the police investigation.
Several crucial facts emerged during the investigation, and the police filed a charge sheet in court. Subsequently, a lengthy trial took place. All three accused were sentenced to life imprisonment
In the Ankita Bhandari murder case, the court convicted all three accused and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Subsequently, the three had approached the High Court seeking bail.
Counsel for the accused argued that they had been in custody for a long time and should be granted bail. However, considering the gravity of the case and the available facts, the High Court refused to grant bail.
Relief for the victim’s family following the decision
Ankita Bhandari’s family and supporters have expressed satisfaction with the High Court’s decision. The family had long been demanding justice and severe punishment in the case.
Following Ankita’s murder, people across the state had staged protests demanding justice. The case had also sparked a widespread debate regarding women’s safety and crime.
Scrutiny of the government and police’s role
Questions had also been raised from time to time regarding the police investigation and the government’s actions in this case. The public demanded an impartial investigation and strict punishment for the guilty.
Investigating agencies gathered evidence, and the prosecution presented its case in court. Following the court’s verdict, all three accused were convicted.
Focus on future legal proceedings
With the High Court rejecting their bail plea, the three accused now have the option to pursue further legal avenues; they could approach the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s decision.
For now, the Ankita Bhandari murder case has once again come into the spotlight following the High Court’s decision. The public and the victim’s family are now keeping a close watch on the upcoming legal proceedings.
