Ankita Bhandari Murder Case: Nationalist Regional Party Protests at District Magistrate’s Office Demanding CBI Investigation
Dehradun, December 27, 2025: In light of recent revelations and viral audio-video clips in the highly publicized Ankita Bhandari murder case in Uttarakhand, the Nationalist Regional Party has intensified its demand for a CBI investigation and a fresh start to the SIT (Special Investigation Team) inquiry. Led by the party’s state president Sulochana Ishtwal, party workers staged a strong protest and chanted slogans in front of the District Magistrate’s office today.
The protesters submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, citing the seriousness of the case, new facts, inconsistencies in witness statements, and potential tampering with evidence, and demanding an impartial investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The memorandum described the SIT investigation as incomplete and biased, and appealed for its reopening and the inclusion of new members if necessary.
State President Sulochana Ishtwal said during the protest, “This demand is not only for securing justice for Ankita Bhandari’s family but also for strengthening women’s safety and law and order in the state. The new facts cannot be ignored. We expect the government to take swift action.”
The party’s national president Shivprasad Semwal supported the protest, saying, “The Ankita Bhandari murder case clearly reeks of political pressure and conspiracy. A CBI investigation has become imperative after the emergence of new evidence. The cries of the victim’s family cannot be ignored. If the government does not take prompt action, we will launch a larger movement.”
Metropolitan President Naveen Pant, who participated in the protest, said, “This case is not just about a murder, but a symbol of crimes against women and abuse of power. The SIT investigation should be reopened to address its shortcomings and handed over to the CBI so that the truth comes out and the culprits are punished.”
The memorandum was sent to the Chief Minister’s office through the district administration. Party leaders warned that the movement would be intensified if their demands were not met. It is noteworthy that in May 2025, the court sentenced three accused to life imprisonment, but audio-video recordings and new allegations that went viral in December 2025 have brought the case back into the spotlight. The Congress party has demanded a CBI investigation under court supervision, while the BJP has termed these allegations a political conspiracy. This protest has once again ignited a debate in the state regarding women’s safety and the transparency of the judicial process.
During the protest, Shiv Prasad Semwal (National President), Sulochana Ishtwal (State President), Bhagwati Prasad Nautiyal (State President, Ex-Servicemen Cell), Naveen Pant (Metropolitan President), Vinod Kothiyal (Publicity Secretary), Yogesh Ishtwal (President, Forest and Environment Cell), Bhagwati Prasad Goswami (District President, Ex-Servicemen Cell), Subhash Nautiyal (Organization Secretary), Dayaram Manodi (District General Secretary), Pritam Negi, Sobhit Bhadri, Shravan Kumar, Shashi Rawat (Metropolitan President, Women’s Cell), Manju Rawat (Publicity Secretary), Basanti Goswami (District Organization Secretary, Women’s Cell), Hema Kotnala, Rajni Kukreti (Mandal President), Suman Rawat, and dozens of other workers participated.
