Ankita Bhandari murder case: CBI interrogates Urmila Sanawar, also questions former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore

October 18, 2026

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team investigating the Ankita Bhandari murder case arrived at Urmila Sanawar’s residence in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday. Urmila Sanawar is said to be the alleged wife of former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore. A four-member CBI team, including a female officer, arrived at her home to question her in the case.

The investigating agency’s action in this high-profile case comes just days after Urmila Sanawar attended a press conference in New Delhi with Ankita Bhandari’s parents. A day earlier, the CBI had questioned former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore at the Shivalik Guest House in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

Urmila Sanawar has demanded that she be questioned in the presence of the media

Urmila Sanawar had demanded in a video message that the CBI interrogate her in the presence of the media. He stated that the investigation was not being conducted under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court judge.

Earlier this year, the Ankita Bhandari murder case came back into the spotlight after audio clips and videos involving Urmila Sanawar went viral. During a Facebook Live, Sanawar allegedly mentioned the role of a VIP in the case, sparking controversy and public debate.

CBI took over the investigation in February

The CBI took over the investigation into the Ankita Bhandari murder case in February this year. The agency’s Delhi-based Special Crime Branch filed a case against an unidentified VIP in the matter.

Opposition parties and various organizations renewed their demand for a CBI investigation. Amid mounting pressure and public concern, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recommended a CBI investigation into the case on January 9.

19-year-old Ankita Bhandari was murdered in 2022

Ankita Bhandari was a 19-year-old receptionist working at the Vanantra Resort in Uttarakhand. She was murdered on September 18, 2022. Her body was dumped in the Chilla Shakti Canal and recovered approximately a week later.

Following a detailed investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), a 500-page charge sheet was filed in the case. It included the names of 97 witnesses, 47 of whom testified in court.

Vanantra Resort owner Pulkit Arya and co-accused Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta were convicted in the case and sentenced to life imprisonment. Pulkit Arya was found guilty of several serious charges, including murder, tampering with evidence, harassment, and immoral trafficking.

Protests also over Dushyant Gautam’s appointment as Governor

Meanwhile, several activists and Congress workers are protesting in Uttarakhand and Delhi against the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Gautam as Governor of Sikkim.

This week, Ankita Bhandari’s parents staged a sit-in at India Gate and demanded a stay on Gautam’s appointment as Governor. Later, they met with CBI officials along with Anil Baluni, BJP MP from Garhwal.

Ankita’s parents have demanded that the Governor’s appointment be stayed until the CBI investigation is completed. They have also urged the government to take steps to ensure strict punishment for all those responsible for their daughter’s murder.

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