Ankita Murder Case Verdict: All three accused have been sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 each under Section 201 (concealing evidence). 

In the much talked about Ankita Bhandari murder case of Uttarakhand, the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADJ) Reena Negi has given its verdict on Friday. The court has sentenced the three accused Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta to rigorous life imprisonment under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC. After the sentence, when the murderers were brought out of the court, a video of which has surfaced. It can be clearly seen in the video that Saurabh Bhaskar came out laughing. At the same time, he raised his hand and looked at the people. 

All three accused have been punished with five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ten thousand rupees each under Section 201 (concealing evidence). All three accused have also been found guilty under the Immoral Trafficking Act, in which all three have been sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of two thousand rupees each. Pulkit Arya has also been found guilty under Section 354 (A) (molestation and outraging the modesty of a woman) and has been sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000. The court has directed the government to pay Rs 4 lakh as compensation to the parents of the deceased.

On May 19, the ADJ court, after completing the hearing of the Ankita murder case, had fixed May 30 as the date for the verdict. In view of Friday's verdict, the government, police and administration had made tight security arrangements in the court premises. The court proceedings began at around 10:30 am.

The court heard both the sides on the question of punishment. Special Public Prosecutor Avnish Negi, Prosecution Officer Rajiv Doval were present in the court on behalf of the prosecution, while advocate Jitendra Singh Rawat was present on behalf of the defense. All the three murder accused were brought to the court from their jails.

The prosecution said that the accused have committed a heinous crime like murder. Their act has affected the peace and order of the entire state. They should be given maximum punishment. The defence pleaded for minimum punishment. The court, in its order, convicted all three and called it a crime of serious nature.

He said that the deceased was working as a receptionist in Vanantra Resort. Before the incident, the accused were pressurizing her for immoral work/extra service. The deceased was opposing this and wanted to leave the resort on the day of the incident. The accused took her out with them to Rishikesh so that the victim does not tell this to anyone. But the victim did not return to Vanantra Resort with the accused and after 6 days, when Cheela canal was searched, her body was recovered from the canal.

The court said that the act of murdering the victim was done deliberately by the accused. Which is of a very serious nature. Considering all the facts and circumstances, all three were declared guilty. In the hearing that lasted for about two years and eight months, 47 witnesses including SIT investigator Inspector Rajendra Singh Kholia were examined in the court on behalf of the prosecution.