New Delhi: There are rising calls from inside the Bharatiya Janata Get together in Uttarakhand for strict motion within the Ankita Bhandari homicide case, as recent allegations have sparked a political controversy within the state.
Days after two recent FIRs have been filed in Uttarakhand after audio and video clips surfaced alleging a hyperlink between the 2022 Ankita Bhandari homicide case and BJP nationwide normal secretary and state in-charge Dushyant Gautam, senior occasion chief and former minister Vijaya Bhardwal has known as for an “neutral investigation by the CBI with none political strain or risk of cover-up”.
The previous minister appealed to the Uttarakhand authorities to conduct a CBI probe in order that “all of the information are delivered to mild in an neutral method”. “I wish to guarantee the general public that the voices of justice and fact won’t ever be suppressed. We can not settle for any compromise in the case of the protection of our daughters. This isn’t simply an incident, it’s a matter of our social duty and ethical values,” she wrote.
In an interview with ThePrint, Mr. Balswal mentioned the problem has tarnished the occasion’s picture and that’s the reason a CBI probe was wanted. Baltowal mentioned a current viral video has introduced the problem again into the highlight and “sparked political and social debate.”
“This horrific crime happened in Mahadev, a sacred place the place the protection and respect of our daughters ought to be paramount. The woman, Ankita Bhandari, was below excessive strain in her line of labor and as a result of her self-sacrifice, she misplaced her life. This reality shocks us all. The three accused on this case have already been sentenced to life imprisonment,” she mentioned.
Bhandari, 19, was working as a receptionist at a resort in Rishikesh on the time of her demise. Pulkit Arya, the resort’s proprietor and son of ousted BJP chief Vinod Arya, is serving a life sentence for homicide. Throughout the trial, Ankita’s buddies and colleagues advised the courtroom that she had been pressured to offer “particular providers” to VIPs, which she had refused to do.
Bhardwal mentioned that the Bharatiya Janata Get together authorities and the Uttarakhand authorities are taking steps to punish the perpetrators, however “justice (alone) will not be sufficient. Additionally it is necessary to see that justice is finished and if there are questions on this case, an neutral investigation ought to be carried out to reply these questions.”
“That’s the reason I urge an neutral investigation by the CBI, eliminating any risk of political strain or cover-up. We could belong to any political occasion, however defending the dignity, honor and identification of our daughters is our biggest duty. If our daughters usually are not protected right here on the shrine of Pahar Mahadev, what’s the level of managing this state?”
Bhardwal will not be the one one inside the BJP to talk out on this situation. Former Prime Minister and Member of Parliament Trivendra Singh Rawat additionally emphasised that if the allegations are true, nobody ought to go unpunished. In an interview with the media final week, Rawat mentioned the problem was a critical one and mentioned it involved girls, who represent 50 per cent of society.
“This can be a very critical situation. We have to look into it additional. I can not touch upon this situation as a result of it’s in courtroom, however it’s a very critical situation,” he mentioned.
Other than him, senior Bharatiya Janata Get together chief and former chairman of Uttarakhand Sri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee Ajendra Ajay additionally demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation investigation into the matter and requested the accused Bharatiya Janata Get together leaders to voluntarily resign. “I strongly imagine that the Ankita Bhandari case is certainly a critical matter. Vital authorized motion and CBI investigation ought to be taken to make sure that there isn’t a suspicion or nervousness among the many public,” he mentioned on social media website Fb.
“I additionally recommend that the leaders concerned on this incident ought to resign from their positions on ethical grounds to protect the pursuits of the occasion and the belief of the individuals. They need to declare their innocence and solely then settle for any place within the occasion,” he added.
Two FIRs registered not too long ago in Dehradun and Haridwar have booked Suresh Rathore, an MLA from Haridwar’s Jwalapur constituency, and Saharanpur-based actress Urmila Sanawar, who claims to be his spouse. The state’s Bharatiya Janata Get together expelled Rathore from the occasion for six years in June after he publicly acknowledged his relationship with Sanawal.
The Bharatiya Janata Get together in Uttarakhand declined to talk on the problem, however a senior Bharatiya Janata Get together official mentioned the opposition events have been “unnecessarily” elevating the problem for political acquire and identified that the Uttarakhand authorities had taken acceptable steps within the matter.
“The Uttarakhand HC has already rejected the CBI inquiry petition. The suspects have been arrested and jailed and the Uttarakhand authorities has taken swift motion. Opposition events try to boost this situation simply to attain political factors,” a senior BJP chief mentioned.
On Tuesday, a delegation of Congress leaders led by Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal met Further Director Common of Police (Legislation and Order) V Murugesan. Throughout the assembly, the parliamentary delegation submitted a memorandum to the ADG on numerous facets of the homicide case.
Congress state secretary Ganesh Godiyal has already demanded a Supreme Court docket-monitored CBI probe into the alleged position of Bharatiya Janata Get together nationwide normal secretary Gautam, which he denies.
The Print had earlier reported that Gautam had written to the Uttarakhand house minister searching for motion towards sure social media accounts for spreading “deceptive and malicious propaganda” towards him. He additionally mentioned he would retire from public life if the allegations have been confirmed.
(Edited by Vinny Mishra)
Additionally learn: Ankita Bhandari homicide case shakes Uttarakhand once more: 2 new FIRs, video clips, senior BJP chief
