Ankita Bhandari Murder Case Decision: Parents angry with life imprisonment, said – the culprits should be hanged
Ankita Bhandari Murder Case Decision : The time for justice has finally come in the much-discussed Ankita Bhandari murder case of Uttarakhand. In this case that shook the whole country, the Kotdwar court has sentenced all three accused to life imprisonment. But Ankita's parents are not satisfied with this decision. They say that the culprits should be hanged, so that a strong message is sent to the society.
Who was Ankita Bhandari?
A resident of Srinagar Garhwal in Uttarakhand, Ankita Bhandari was 19 years old and was working as a receptionist at Vanantara Resort under Rishikesh area. She was working along with her studies to fulfill her future dreams.
What happened when? Ankita Bhandari Murder Case Timeline
Ever since this matter caught fire, people have kept an eye on every update. Let us know the complete timeline of this heinous murder case:
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18 September 2022
Ankita Bhandari suddenly goes missing. -
19 September 2022
Ankita's family lodged a missing person report with the police. -
20 September 2022
A case was registered with the Revenue Police, but no major action was taken. -
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21 September 2022
The Uttarakhand Police acted swiftly in the case and arrested three accused - Pulkit Arya, Saurabh and Ankit. -
23 September 2022
The three accused Pulkit Arya, Saurabh and Ankit were sent to judicial custody. -
24 September 2022
Ankita's body was recovered from the Cheela canal six days after the incident. This incident shook the whole of Uttarakhand and the country. -
19 December 2022
A 500-page charge sheet was filed against the three accused under serious sections like murder, destruction of evidence, molestation and prostitution.
Ankita Bhandari Murder Case Decision: Court's decision
On 30 May 2025, the Kotdwar Court gave a historic verdict in this case and sentenced all three accused to life imprisonment. Along with this, a fine of ₹ 4 lakh has also been imposed on each accused.
The court convicted the accused under sections 302 (murder), 201 (concealing evidence), 354 (misbehavior with a woman) and Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act of the IPC.
Parents' displeasure: "We want death penalty"
After the court's decision, Ankita Bhandari's parents expressed displeasure. He says:
Google Advertisement"This was not an ordinary murder, our daughter was brutally killed. Our struggle will continue until the culprits are hanged."
He said that now he will appeal in the Uttarakhand High Court so that the culprits can be hanged.
Who is Pulkit Arya? Why was there so much uproar?
The father of the accused Pulkit Arya has been a former minister of Uttarakhand. Due to this, the matter had become very politically sensitive. Pulkit was accused of pressuring Ankita to give 'special service' to the guests, which she refused and was murdered.
What was the police claim?
During the police investigation, it was found that on the night of September 18, Ankita was forcibly taken to the Cheela canal and was pushed and killed there. An attempt was made to show the incident as an accident, but the truth came out in the investigation.
Public outrage and movement on social media
After Ankita's murder, people demonstrated all over Uttarakhand and the country. #JusticeForAnkita kept trending on social media. Women, student organizations, social workers and common citizens took to the streets.
Public reaction to the verdict
The court's decision brought relief to some people, but a large section is dissatisfied with it. People are writing on social media:
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"There should be death penalty, not life imprisonment."
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"Strict punishment is necessary for the safety of daughters."
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"Delay in justice is also injustice, it took three years for the verdict to come."
Legal experts' opinion
Lawyers say that the court has given the verdict as per the legal process. But since the case falls in the category of rarest of rare, death penalty was also possible. If there is an appeal in the High Court, the sentence can also be increased.
What will happen next?
Now this case will go to the High Court. Ankita's family has made it clear that they will appeal against the court's decision and will not rest until the culprits are hanged.
Conclusion: Did they get justice?
Ankita Bhandari Murder Case Decision has once again raised the question whether our justice system is providing satisfactory justice to the victims? Although the court gave punishment as per the law, but for Ankita's family it is still incomplete justice. This case can become an important milestone on the safety of daughters and the justice system in the coming times.