In a significant move, the Uttarakhand government has renamed a key medical education institution in memory of a young woman whose tragic death shook the state. The Government Nursing College located in Dobh (Shrikot) village of Pauri Garhwal district will now be known as the Late Ankita Bhandari Government Nursing College.
A Decision from the Chief Minister
The renaming was carried out on the direct instruction of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Following this directive, Dr R Rajesh Kumar, the Secretary of the state's Medical and Health Department, formalized the decision by issuing an official order on Thursday.
This symbolic act comes a day after CM Dhami met with the grieving parents of Ankita Bhandari. During the meeting, he assured them of continued efforts to deliver justice in their daughter's case. The parents, Virendra Bhandari and his wife, handed a letter to the Chief Minister during this interaction.
The Family's Appeal for a Deeper Probe
The letter from Ankita's father contained a heartfelt appeal to the state government. Virendra Bhandari has requested a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into his daughter's murder, seeking the probe to be conducted under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.
"I appeal to the government to get this case investigated by the CBI under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge to apprehend the VIP," the letter stated. This reference to a 'VIP' has reignited public discussion around the case.
Recap of the 2022 Tragedy
The case dates back to 2022, when 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari, a native of Dobh, was murdered. She was working as a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Pauri. The perpetrators were identified as the resort owner, Pulkit Arya, and two of his employees. Following a trial, all three were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime.
However, the demand for a CBI investigation gained fresh momentum recently. This followed claims made by Urmila Sanawar, who is reported to be the wife of expelled BJP MLA Suresh Rathore. Sanawar alleged the involvement of a 'VIP', speculated to be a BJP politician, in the murder conspiracy.
The renaming of the college serves as a permanent memorial to Ankita Bhandari and keeps the spotlight on her family's quest for what they believe is a complete and transparent investigation. It underscores the state government's public commitment to the case while the family continues to push for a central agency probe to address the unanswered questions surrounding the tragedy.
