BJP Government Recommends CBI Probe For Ankita Bhandari Murder Case

This decision comes just two days after meeting Ankita's parents and one day before a proposed statewide shutdown in Uttarakhand.

Ankita's parents had explicitly demanded a CBI probe from CM Dhami. The biggest question now is whether the CBI investigation will uncover the name of the "VIP" who has been held responsible for the murder.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while announcing the recommendation for a CBI probe into the Ankita Bhandari murder case, said that in respect of the request and sentiments of the deceased Ankita Bhandari's parents, the state government has recommended that the case be investigated by the CBI.

Welcoming the recommendation for a CBI probe in the Ankita Bhandari case, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat said, "People have been demanding this for the past three years. Today, they felt that a CBI probe recommendation should be made because everyone in Uttarakhand is demanding it. However, justice remains incomplete. The VIPs will only be arrested if this investigation is conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Court."

Uttarakhand Congress President Ganesh Godiyal, who has been leading protests across the state for several days to secure justice for Ankita Bhandari, welcomed the decision.

He said that by accepting the demand for a CBI probe in the Ankita Bhandari case, the state government has admitted its past mistakes. This is a victory for all social organisations and the people of the state. We hope that this CBI investigation will be conducted under the supervision of an honourable judge, a demand consistently raised by the people of the entire state and Ankita's parents themselves.

Meanwhile, social activist Yogita Bhayana also reacted to the development. She said that finally, the decision for a CBI probe has been made! The Dhami government has handed over the Ankita Bhandari murder case investigation to the CBI.

On the other hand, CPI-ML state secretary Indresh Maikhuri said that the decision for a CBI probe in the Ankita Bhandari murder case is the result of pressure from the public movement in Uttarakhand.

 It must be reiterated that this investigation should be conducted under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge. The BJP government led by Pushkar Singh Dhami took three years to make this decision, and it was only taken when public pressure and protests reached their peak. If this decision had been made in time, the VIP might have been behind bars by now. Even now, if the VIP does not come under the grip of the law, the three-year delay by the Dhami government in recommending a CBI probe will be solely responsible for it.

The people of Uttarakhand must remain vigilant and keep a close watch on the entire case. Even after the case goes to the CBI, the streets should not fall silent. The voice for justice for Ankita Bhandari must continue to echo on the streets—only then will any investigation and agency move in the right direction.

Recent revelations regarding the alleged 'VIP' in the Ankita murder case have caused a storm in the state's politics, with the Congress and various political parties and social organisations continuously protesting and demanding a CBI probe.Gradually, the movement to secure justice for Ankita has spread across Uttarakhand, with ongoing protests in every city, town, and village.

Meanwhile, a Uttarakhand shutdown had been called for Saturday to demand justice for Ankita. However, just one day prior, the state government recommended a CBI probe in an attempt to calm public anger. But the biggest question remains: will the CBI investigation reveal the VIP's name?