In a heartfelt gesture, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami met the grieving parents of Ankita Bhandari in Dehradun, nearly two years after their daughter’s brutal murder rocked the nation. The private session at his official home aimed to console the family and reaffirm justice pledges.
The 2022 incident involved Ankita, employed at a luxury resort near Rishikesh, who was allegedly pushed off a gorge by the owner’s son, Pulkit Arya, and accomplices. Autopsy reports confirmed foul play, leading to arrests but also controversy over evidence tampering claims.
Sources reveal Dhami spent over an hour with the couple, who shared untold hardships since losing their only daughter. The CM empathized deeply, vowing, ‘No stone will be left unturned.’ He updated them on the special court’s proceedings, where the trial has seen dramatic turns, including recanted testimonies.
The family’s plea for federal agency intervention persists, fueled by perceived delays. Dhami responded by outlining new initiatives: mandatory CCTV in resorts, women’s safety cells, and victim support funds. These steps address systemic gaps exposed by Ankita’s case.
Public memory of the protests—thousands marching in Dehradun—remains fresh. Dhami’s proactive stance contrasts earlier criticisms, positioning him as a leader attuned to public sentiment. As hearings continue, this interaction humanizes the political response to a tragedy that exposed vulnerabilities in Uttarakhand’s tourism hub.
Ultimately, the meeting transcends consolation; it’s a promise etched in action. For Ankita’s parents, it’s a flicker of hope amid endless grief, reminding all of the human cost behind headlines.
