In a significant development in the 2022 Rishikesh resort murder case, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. This move comes amidst escalating political controversy over the alleged role of a 'mysterious VIP' linked to the case, which involves the killing of a 19-year-old woman receptionist under suspicious circumstances.
Environmentalist Files Police Complaint, Demands Independent Probe
On the same day as the Chief Minister's recommendation, Padma Bhushan awardee and Dehradun-based environmentalist Anil Joshi took formal action. He wrote to Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth, seeking an independent investigation into the alleged involvement of the VIP. Following his complaint, an FIR was registered at the Vasant Vihar police station on Friday night.
In his statement, Joshi emphasized public demand for answers. "People have been on the streets demanding answers and it is necessary for the administration to clarify the VIP's role. There should be an independent probe, and that is why, as a responsible citizen, I approached the police," he stated. The police have registered a case against an unidentified person under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including causing disappearance of evidence and harbouring an offender.
Political Storm and Opposition's Demands
The issue of the VIP, who is believed to have visited the resort when the victim was working there, has dominated state politics for weeks. The controversy intensified after an audio clip surfaced, alleging that the individual was "a senior national BJP leader." This has triggered massive protests by the opposition Congress and various citizen groups.
While welcoming the government's decision to involve the CBI, the Congress party insisted that the scope of the investigation must be broad. State Congress president Ganesh Godiyal argued that the probe should not be limited to identifying the VIP. He demanded it also examine the demolition of a portion of the resort soon after the incident, calling it an attempt to destroy evidence. Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat added that a complaint from the victim's parents would have carried more weight than one from an environmentalist.
Victim's Family Seeks Clarity and Supreme Court Supervision
The parents of the deceased 19-year-old have expressed their primary demand: a thorough investigation into the alleged VIP's role. They voiced concern that the communication from the CM's office did not explicitly specify this focus. Speaking to TOI, the victim's father said they received only a general statement about the CBI probe approval.
"It mentions approval for a CBI probe, but does not specify whether it will be for the VIP, or if it will be supervised by an SC judge. For us, at the moment, it is critical to know who that VIP was," he said. The family has urged for the investigation to unravel all unexplained aspects of the case under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.
Public Outcry and Case Background
Reflecting the public anger, several social organisations in Dehradun carried out a torch procession and have called for an 'Uttarakhand bandh' (shutdown) on Sunday. The core case dates back to September 2022, when the young receptionist was allegedly murdered by three men: resort owner Pulkit Arya and his associates, Ankit Gupta and Saurabh Bhaskar. All three convicts are currently serving life sentences in jail.
The recommendation for a CBI probe marks a pivotal moment, but with multiple stakeholders—the government, the opposition, civil society, and the grieving family—demanding different aspects of transparency and justice, the path ahead remains under intense scrutiny.
