Rishikesh resort murder: FIR registered after PadmaBhushan environmentalist lodges complaint against ‘VIP’

DEHRADUN: On the day chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recommended a CBI probe in the 2022 Rishikesh resort murder case, in which a 19-year-old woman receptionist was killed under suspicious circumstances, Doon-based environmentalist Anil Joshi, a Padma Bhushan awardee, wrote to Uttarakhand DGP Deepam Seth seeking an independent probe into the alleged role of the ‘mysterious VIP'.

An FIR was subsequently registered at Vasant Vihar thana on Friday night. The issue of the ‘VIP', who is believed to have visited the resort when the woman was working there, has rocked the state politics for the past few weeks. It escalated ever since an audio clip surfaced, alleging that "he was a senior national BJP leader". Since then, the issue has seen massive protests by opposition Congress as well as people's groups.

In his complaint, Joshi stated, "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." Sub-inspector Durgesh Chandra, the investigation officer in the case, said that based on Joshi's complaint, a case has been registered against "an unidentified person under BNS sections 238 (causing disappearance of evidence), 249 (harbouring offender) and 45 (abetment of an offence)."

Meanwhile, welcoming the govt's CBI recommendation, opposition Congress on Saturday insisted the probe should not be limited to identifying the alleged VIP alone. State Congress president Ganesh Godiyal said the investigation must examine the reason behind demolition of a portion of the resort soon after the incident. "Those who ordered bulldozing of the resort's room had actually tried to destroy crucial evidence and were equally responsible. The probe should be comprehensive and the findings be made public," he added. Ex-CM Harish Rawat further said that rather than an environmentalist lodging a complaint, it would've been better if it came from the victim's parents.

Meanwhile, the parents told TOI that their demand was primarily for an investigation into the alleged VIP's role and expressed concern that the communication from the CM's office did not clearly specify this. They added the probe should focus on unravelling all unexplained aspects of the case and be conducted under the supervision of a Supreme Court (SC) judge.

"We did not receive any additional communication from the govt so far, only a statement that was released by the CM. 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," the father said.

Several social organisations in Dehradun, meanwhile, carried out a torch procession in the city and continued with their call for an ‘Uttarakhand bandh' on Sunday.

The 19-year-old was allegedly murdered in Sept of 2022 by three men—resort owner Pulkit Arya and his associates, Ankit Gupta and Saurabh Bhaskar. All three are currently in jail, serving life sentences.