The State Disaster Response Force recovered the body of slain receptionist, Ankita Bhandari from Chilla canal in Uttarakhand’s Rishikesh, said its spokesperson on Saturday, reported news agency ANI adding that her relatives were called to identify the body.
The 19-year-old receptionist had went missing a few days ago following which three accused including Pulkit Arya, son of former Uttarakhand Minister and BJP leader Vinod Arya and owner of the resort where Bhandari worked, were arrested.
“The deceased’s brother and father were here and they identified the body. The body found at the barrage is of Ankita Bhandari,” said Shekhar Suyal, Additional Superintendent of Police, quoted by the news agency.
“Search operation was going on from 7am, we took out the body of a woman, her relatives came here & identified it to be the body of Ankita Bhandari. Deadbody taken to AIIMS in Rishikesh,” said an SDRF official.
The incident triggered anger amongst the locals as women gheraoed the Police vehicle that was carrying the accused in Ankita Bhandari murder case.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday gave instructions to District Magistrates to investigate all the resorts of the state. Dhami said, “It is unfortunate. Police are working, they have done their work for making the arrests. Strictest punishment would be given for such heinous crimes, whoever be the criminal.”
