Petition for CBI probe in late Ankita Bhandari case quashed by Uttarakhand High Court !

In a sensitive turn in late Ankita Bhandari murder case in Uttarakhand, the Nainital high court has quashed the petition filed by journalist and social activist Ashutosh Negi requesting for the Central Bureau of Investigation in the case as was also demanded by the parents of the victim and the people at large. The Uttarakhand High Court while expressing its satisfaction over the SIT investigations in the case said that there is no need for a CBI probe and as such the petition for CBI probe is quashed with immediate effect. It may be recalled that that journalist Ashutosh Negi had for the first time exposed this matter pertaining to the mysterious disappearence of 19 year old Ankita Bhandari from Vanantara resort where she worked as receptionist. The victim belonged to village Srikot, Pauri Garhwal , the native village of journalist Asutosh Negi as well. He had accompanied the father of the victim to the revenue police station to lodge the FIR and made the first news video showing them taking no interest in the case nor the lodging the FIR as well giving an unambiguous impression of the revenue patwari etc having been in unholy nexus with the culprits. The complainants argument was that had the revenue police authorities take action in time The tragedy could have been averted. The patwari had gone on leave under the pretext of his father being ill instead of taking due interest in the case leading to the brutal murder of Ankita Bhandari by pushing her in the river at Chilla barrage, Rishikesh by three alleged culprits from where her dead body was found and Pulkit Arya, Bhaskar n Ankit arrested. The culprits have been asked for Narco examination after the court’s orders and the police has filed a 500 page charge sheet in the case with more than 100 witnesses n thirty documented proofs etc. The parents of the victim and protestors had held number of demonstrations demanding CBI enquiry and naming of the alleged VIP allegedly demanding the special services of the victim. After the demolition of Vanantara resort by the orders of the local MLA of Yamkeshwar Renu Bisht there was hue and cry with people accusing her of helping in eroding the evidences, the charge strongly denied by the police and Uttarakhand STF claiming that nothing such happened as the evidences had already been collected. The High Court while quashing the petition for CBI enquiry and tabling of the 23 page judgement concluded that the court is of the firm and considered opinion that though there may be some initial hiccups at the initial stage on investigation while The revenue inspector and regular police were investigating the case before The formation of the SIT but it cannot be stated that the investigation of the case is,proceeding in improper direction with biased attitude. Though the case is definitely sensitive one in view of the fact that the young girl has been killed and some people are protesting the way investigations are going on, it cannot be said that the investigation is going in the direction ti protect any particular high profile person. In view of this, the Court is of the firm opinion that the SIT led by the police officer in the rank of DIG, who hails, from a different state having obviously no political inclination being a member of IPS cadre and doing a reasonably good job of investigation. The judgement adds that though the petitioner wants the investigation to go in a particular direction but the investigation requires expertise and the investigating officer knows how to proceed with the investigation of the case. The High Court finally concludes that in view of the above the court is of the opinion that there is no merit in the writ petition, finally dismissing it. In view of the sensitivity of the case n tremendous media coverage the court directs the state government to appoint a Special Public Prosecutor possessing sufficient experience and expertise in handling criminal cases to prosecute the accused persons. The HC directed the case trial to be pursued on fast track. The high court decision to quash the petition of journalist Ashutosh Negi has definitely demoralised the parents n those fighting for justice to Ankita Bhandari reveal sources.