Uttarakhand BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt on Wednesday said the state took steps at every stage in the Ankita Bhandari case and ensured an impartial investigation.Bhatt said the Pushkar Dhami government treated the murder case with seriousness and ensured the accused were arrested right after the crime was unravelled.He said the government also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and made arrangements for prosecution and addressing the family’s demands.The remarks of the Rajya Sabha MP came against the backdrop of a protest at India Gate in the national capital by Bhandari’s parents, who were joined in their demand for justice by Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha leader of the opposition.Bhandari, an employee at a resort in Uttarakhand, was murdered in September 2022.Bhatt dismissed the Congress’s allegation that the probe into the receptionist’s killing was laced with malice.“Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami made it clear from the outset that the safety of women and strict action against criminals are the government’s top priorities. Accordingly, instructions were issued to the police for immediate action. The accused were arrested and sent to jail within 24 hours of the incident coming to light,” he said.
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A chargesheet was submitted to the court based on evidence and witness testimonies, and the “prosecution effectively argued the case in court,” he said.“Through the judicial process, the guilty were sentenced to life imprisonment; this verdict was delivered based on the evidence presented and established legal procedures,” Bhatt said.The BJP leader said the Dhami government also acceded to Bhandari’s parents’ demand for a CBI probe, and that they were given Rs 25 lakh in financial support.“The issue of securing justice for Ankita Bhandari extends beyond a mere criminal case; it is also linked to women’s safety, sensitive governance, and public trust in the legal system,” he added. PTI