A court in Haridwar has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Urmila Sanawar, a key figure in an alleged blackmailing and audio controversy connected to the high-profile Rishikesh resort murder case. Police are intensifying efforts to locate her and expelled former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore, who is also implicated in the scandal.
Audio Clips Trigger Political and Legal Storm
The controversy erupted after the alleged release of several audio clips by Sanawar. In these recordings, Suresh Rathore is purportedly heard referring to a 'VIP' involved in the Rishikesh resort case, whom he identified as BJP's national general secretary Dushyant Gautam. These claims have ignited a significant political and legal firestorm, drawing attention from state authorities and the media.
The court issued the NBW after Sanawar repeatedly failed to appear before investigators despite receiving multiple notices. In total, police have registered four separate cases against her within Haridwar district. Two of these cases are directly related to the controversial audio clips allegedly linked to the resort murder, where both Sanawar and Rathore are named as co-accused. The remaining two cases pertain to allegations of blackmail. Police sources confirmed that raids are currently underway at various suspected hideouts to apprehend her.
Details of the Cases and Police Action
Haridwar's Senior Superintendent of Police (City), Abhay Singh, provided further details to the Times of India. He stated that a case was registered at Ranipur police station last year against Urmila Sanawar for allegedly sharing obscene pictures of Suresh Rathore's daughter. In connection with that case, police arrested a social media friend of the victim. However, Sanawar has remained at large. The NBW was secured after she ignored several police notices to join the investigation.
In a parallel development, the Dehradun police served a notice to expelled MLA Suresh Rathore in Haridwar on Friday. This notice is related to the audio clip case registered at Nehru Colony police station. This particular case was filed based on a complaint by former BJP member Arti Gaur, whose name was mentioned in the purported audio recordings related to the Rishikesh resort murder.
Ongoing Investigations and Wider Implications
The situation remains fluid as law enforcement agencies across districts coordinate their efforts. The issuance of the non-bailable warrant marks a significant escalation in legal proceedings against Sanawar. Meanwhile, the continued scrutiny of Suresh Rathore keeps the case in the political spotlight, with potential ramifications for the individuals and parties involved.
The police have emphasized that their search operations are active and widespread. The intertwining of serious allegations—from blackmail and sharing obscene material to audio leaks implicating high-profile figures in a murder case—has created a complex web for investigators to untangle. The public and political observers are keenly watching for further developments as the probe advances.
