CBI Launches Probe Into 'Unknown VIP' Angle in 2022 Rishikesh Resort Murder Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday registered a formal case against an "unknown VIP" in connection with the high-profile 2022 murder of a 19-year-old receptionist at a resort in Rishikesh. The resort was owned by the son of a prominent BJP leader, adding significant political dimensions to the already tragic case.
Special Team Arrives in Dehradun to Initiate Investigation
A special team from the central investigative agency reached Dehradun on Monday to begin its probe after officially registering the case. According to a CBI officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, "The team met with officers from the Uttarakhand police Special Investigation Team (SIT) that had previously investigated the murder. The SIT had filed a chargesheet based on which the primary accused were convicted. The CBI team will now thoroughly examine all case-related documents and conduct further investigations to ascertain whether any VIP was indeed involved in the matter."
Political Pressure and CM's Recommendation Led to CBI Intervention
The decision for a CBI inquiry came after Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami formally recommended the probe on January 9. This recommendation followed days of sustained protests by various social groups and political parties, coupled with persistent demands from the victim's grieving parents. The parents had specifically requested an investigation by the CBI under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge to ensure transparency and impartiality.
The CBI registered its case based on the First Information Report (FIR) originally lodged at Dehradun's Vasant Vihar police station. This FIR was filed after noted environmentalist and Padma Bhushan awardee Anil Joshi, based in Dehradun, wrote a detailed letter to Uttarakhand Director General of Police Deepam Seth. The FIR was registered against an unidentified person under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):
- Section 238: Causing disappearance of evidence
- Section 249: Harbouring an offender
- Section 45: Abetment of an offence
Case Regains Momentum Through Audio Clips and Political Allegations
The case saw renewed political traction after audio clips, allegedly released by Haridwar-based actor Urmila Sanawar, began circulating online. In these controversial recordings, expelled former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore—whom Sanawar claims is her husband—can purportedly be heard referring to a "VIP". Rathore allegedly identified this VIP as BJP national general secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge Dushyant Gautam.
In response to these serious allegations, Gautam has categorically denied any involvement and has filed defamation cases against the couple. Following the circulation of these audio clips, an SIT was constituted specifically to probe the 'VIP angle' in the murder case.
Background: The 2022 Murder and Convictions
The 19-year-old receptionist was brutally murdered in September 2022 at the resort owned by Pulkit Arya, son of a BJP leader. The primary perpetrators were identified as resort owner Pulkit Arya and his associates, Ankit Gupta and Saurabh Bhaskar. All three were arrested, tried, and subsequently convicted by a Kotdwar court last year. They are currently serving life sentences in jail for their heinous crime.
The CBI's entry into the case marks a significant development, as the agency now shoulders the responsibility of uncovering whether there was any influential involvement that remained hidden during the initial investigation. The probe is expected to be meticulous, given the political sensitivities and public scrutiny surrounding this tragic incident.
