A court in Kotdwar has taken a stern step in the ongoing investigation into the Ankita Bhandari murder case. The judicial magistrate first class has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against a woman named Shweta Tiwari. The warrant was issued on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, following her failure to appear before the court in connection with a controversial social media post.
The Allegation That Sparked Legal Action
Shweta Tiwari found herself in legal trouble after making a serious allegation on social media platform Facebook. In a post, she claimed that a "very important person" (VIP) was involved in the murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari. The young receptionist was killed in September 2022, a case that has gripped Uttarakhand and led to the arrest of the main accused, Pulkit Arya, son of a former BJP leader.
Tiwari's post did not name the VIP but suggested their involvement, which police investigators have consistently denied. The Kotdwar police had registered a case against her under Section 505(1)(b) of the Indian Penal Code. This section deals with statements that cause fear or alarm among the public or could induce someone to commit an offence against the state or public tranquillity.
Court Proceedings and Police Response
The judicial process began when police submitted a charge sheet against Tiwari in the Kotdwar court. The court then summoned her to appear. However, Shweta Tiwari failed to present herself before the court on the scheduled date. This non-appearance prompted the judicial magistrate to issue the non-bailable warrant, a significant escalation in the legal proceedings against her.
Senior police officials have commented on the matter, emphasizing the sensitivity of the Ankita Bhandari case. They stated that Tiwari's allegations were baseless and aimed at misleading the investigation. The police maintain that their probe has been thorough and that no evidence points to the involvement of any VIP, as claimed in the social media post.
Background: The Ankita Bhandari Murder
To understand the gravity of the situation, one must recall the details of the original crime. Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old from Dobhin Srikot village, worked as a receptionist at the Vanantara Resort in Rishikesh. The resort was owned by Pulkit Arya. In September 2022, she was reported missing, which triggered a massive search operation.
The case took a grim turn when her body was recovered from the Chilla canal near Rishikesh on September 24, 2022. The police investigation led to the arrest of Pulkit Arya and two associates, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta. The accused were charged with murder, and the case sparked widespread public outrage and protests across Uttarakhand, leading to heightened political scrutiny.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
The issuance of a non-bailable warrant against Shweta Tiwari underscores the judiciary's low tolerance for what it perceives as attempts to obstruct justice or spread misinformation in a sensitive criminal investigation. An NBW means the accused cannot secure release by simply posting bail; they must be presented before the court.
The Kotdwar police are now tasked with executing this warrant. Their immediate goal is to locate and arrest Shweta Tiwari to produce her in court. Legal experts suggest that her failure to appear could lead to further charges of contempt or non-compliance with judicial orders, compounding her legal troubles.
This development also serves as a cautionary tale about the power and perils of social media. Making unsubstantiated claims about an active criminal investigation, especially one with such high emotional and political stakes, can have serious legal consequences. The authorities are sending a clear message that spreading unverified information that can influence a case or public sentiment will be dealt with strictly.
Public and Political Reaction
The Ankita Bhandari case has remained in the public eye for over a year and a half. It has been a focal point for discussions on crime, power dynamics, and justice in Uttarakhand. The latest warrant has drawn mixed reactions. Some sections of the public support the court's action, viewing it as necessary to prevent trial by media and social media. Others remain skeptical, questioning whether all angles of the murder case have been fully explored.
Politically, the case has been a challenge for the state government, with the opposition consistently raising the issue. The new warrant introduces another layer to this complex narrative, highlighting the ongoing judicial efforts to manage all aspects of the fallout from the tragic murder.
As the police work to execute the non-bailable warrant, all eyes remain on the Kotdwar court. The proceedings against Shweta Tiwari will be a test of how the legal system handles allegations that intersect with high-profile criminal cases and the court of public opinion. The primary goal, as reiterated by officials, remains delivering justice for Ankita Bhandari while ensuring the judicial process is not undermined by external claims.
