Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a crucial meeting with the grieving parents of a 19-year-old receptionist who was brutally murdered at a resort in Rishikesh. The meeting, held at the CM's official residence on Wednesday night, was aimed at assuring the family of the state government's full support and a steadfast commitment to delivering justice.
CM's Assurance and Family's Demands
During the emotional interaction, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasized that ensuring justice in this case was the highest priority for his government. He assured the victim's parents that the administration stands firmly with them and will provide all possible support. The meeting was a follow-up to Dhami's announcement a day earlier, where he committed to hearing the family's suggestions on the investigation after examining legal aspects.
The parents presented their views, concerns, and demands regarding the direction of the probe. A detailed discussion ensued, focusing on the next steps in the investigation to ensure a thorough and conclusive outcome.
Audio Clips and Political Controversy
The case, which had seen the conviction of three accused earlier this year, has resurfaced dramatically in recent days. This follows the circulation of controversial audio clips allegedly released by actor Urmila Sanawar. In these clips, former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore is purportedly heard referring to a 'VIP' involved in the case, whom he allegedly identified as BJP national general secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge Dushyant Gautam.
Gautam has strongly denied these claims and has filed a legal case against both Rathore and Sanawar. Rathore, on his part, has claimed the audio clips are 'AI-generated' and has stated his intention to record his statement with the police soon.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
In response to the new developments, the Haridwar police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. After being untraceable for several days, Urmila Sanawar appeared before the Dehradun police on Wednesday to record her official statement.
It is important to note that the core murder case has already seen a judicial conclusion. In May, a local court convicted all three accused — resort owner Pulkit Arya, his employee Saurabh Bhaskar, and associate Ankit Gupta — for the murder and sentenced them to life imprisonment. All three are currently serving their sentences in jail.
The state government's active engagement with the victim's family and the formation of a new SIT underscore the ongoing efforts to address all unanswered questions and ensure complete closure for the family.
