PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Heavy security arrangements were put in place on Friday around the Kotdwar court complex in Pauri district ahead of the verdict in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. The Additional District and Sessions Judge Reena Negi pronounced life imprisonment for all three accused Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. Police and administrative authorities began preparations on Thursday, anticipating a large crowd and heightened emotions. Multiple layers of security were deployed around the court, with barricading set up to manage the expected influx of local residents, members of various organisations and political representatives.
The Pauri senior superintendent of police Lokjeet Singh personally monitored the situation on the ground to ensure law and order was maintained. According to the observers and officials, tensions rose on Friday morning before the judgement was delivered. Despite the security measures, a large crowd gathered outside the court and attempted to break through the police barricades. The police intervened promptly and managed to control the situation using full force. Entry to the courtroom was restricted with only certain individuals allowed inside the 200-metre perimeter surrounding the premises.
The court held the three men guilty of the murder of Ankita Bhandari. The case had drawn widespread attention since 2022. The court proceedings began on January 30, 2023 and continued for nearly two years and eight months. The prosecution presented 47 witnesses during the hearings. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a 500-page chargesheet based on a detailed probe which included statements from over 100 witnesses. Following the sentencing, groups involved in protests and public demonstrations reacted to the verdict. While some expressed partial satisfaction with the life imprisonment decision, many continued to demand the death penalty for the convicts including the victim’s family.
