Resort murder: Mahapanchayat seeks clarity on ‘VIP’, SC-monitored CBI probe

Dehradun: A mahapanchayat was held in the city on Sunday to demand justice for the 19-year-old receptionist murdered at a Rishikesh resort in Sept 2022 even as the CBI has begun its probe into the case. Participants demanded identification of the alleged "VIP" linked to the case, a Supreme Court-monitored CBI probe and the resignation of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.The woman was murdered by three men — resort owner Pulkit Arya, son of a now-expelled BJP functionary, and his associates Ankit Gupta and Saurabh Bhaskar. All three are currently in jail serving life sentences. The accused were forcing the victim to allegedly offer special services to a VIP, a senior political leader who remains unidentified. The mahapanchayat saw participation from around 40 social organisations, women's groups and opposition leaders, including former CM Harish Rawat. The victim's parents were also present."Through the mahapanchayat, led by women from the Mahila Manch, we have placed five key demands, which are also shared with the President. Identifying the VIP and understanding why the govt is trying to protect them is a top priority," said Kamla Pant of Uttarakhand Mahila Manch.Activists have urged the President to intervene under Articles 21 and 355 of the Constitution to ensure a fair, independent and time-bound judicial inquiry."Though the murderers were punished by the sessions court, Kotdwar, the facts related to the VIPs who were denied service, leading to her murder, were ignored in the previous SIT investigation... Furthermore, SIT filed a chargesheet against only the three accused of murder. No investigation was conducted into the VIPs to whom the victim had refused special service, nor was a chargesheet filed against them. For this reason, the victim's side has not been able to get fair justice even today," the letter read.The letter also raised concerns over the FIR registered on Jan 9 at Vasant Vihar police station on a complaint by Padma Bhushan environmentalist Anil Joshi, who had no connection with the case. "The CBI investigation is being conducted on that basis and not on the complaint of the victim's family. This clearly indicates that an attempt is being made to mislead the probe, divert its direction and distort the facts... The mahapanchayat clearly and unanimously demands from you that, in accordance with the demand made in the letter by the victim's parents, further investigation should be initiated with immediate effect so that the victim can get justice...," it read.The letter further argued that the chief minister's continuation in office could influence the investigation, and called for his resignation to ensure an independent probe. "While Article 355 of the Constitution places the responsibility on the Union of India to ensure constitutional rule in the event of internal disturbances in a state, and Article 21 guarantees every citizen the right to life and justice, it is necessary to remove him from the position of CM so that he cannot influence the investigation."A resolution to this effect was unanimously passed during the mahapanchayat. One of the resolutions stated that an investigation should be initiated within 15 days based on the complaint of the victim's family, while BJP functionaries who were identified as possible VIPs should be removed from their positions and brought under investigation. Participants said "agitation across the state would intensify if the demands were not met".While the victim's mother remained inconsolable, her father rejected rumours that the family had compromised after meeting the chief minister earlier. "When our daughter didn't budge, how can we give up? Our demand has always been a CBI probe under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge and action against the VIP responsible for her death. We don't know Anil Joshi; he has no connection to us. The probe should be based on our complaint, not his," he said.The father said call details of BJP MLA Renu Bisht, who ordered to bulldoze the resort in question to allegedly destroy evidence, should be probed along with those accused of being the VIPs.Former CM Rawat said an investigation based on an FIR filed by a person "patronised by the govt" raises questions about impartiality and could lead to protection of influential individuals.Speakers also raised concerns over women's safety in the state, citing recent cases of sexual violence and demanding stronger accountability mechanisms.