Dehradun, October 26, 2026: The Uttarakhand Congress has raised serious questions over the timing of Urmila Sanawar’s arrest and the investigation into the alleged VIP angle in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. The party has questioned why Sanawar was arrested just before the next scheduled legal proceedings when she and former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore had reportedly consented to undergo narco and polygraph tests.
At a press conference in Dehradun on Monday, Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Sujata Paul and Pradesh Mahila Congress president Jyoti Rautela demanded clarity from the police and investigating agencies. The Congress expressed concern that the arrest could affect or delay the narco-test process and called for a transparent investigation into every aspect of the case.
Why Was Sanawar Arrested Before the Narco Test?
According to the Congress, the CBI questioned Urmila Sanawar after initiating its investigation and also visited her residence in Saharanpur. On October 23, Sanawar and former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore reportedly consented before a Dehradun court to undergo narco and polygraph tests. The next stage of the legal proceedings was scheduled to move forward on October 26.
However, a separate case was reportedly registered on the night of October 24 following a complaint, and Sanawar was arrested on October 25 and sent to judicial custody.
Sujata Paul questioned the timing of the arrest, asking why such action was taken immediately before the next scheduled court proceedings when Sanawar had already consented to the tests. She demanded that the Uttarakhand Police explain the circumstances surrounding the arrest, the legal basis of the new case, and its relationship, if any, with an earlier complaint and reports of a non-bailable warrant.
The Congress also sought clarification from the CBI and the concerned court regarding the current status of the narco-test proceedings and the legal steps required to take the process forward.
However, the timing of the arrest alone does not establish that the action was intended to obstruct the investigation. Any such allegation would require independent verification and supporting evidence.
Congress Seeks Answers on the Alleged VIP Angle
Sujata Paul said Sanawar had made allegations in her statements involving alleged VIP Dushyant Kumar Gautam and other senior political figures. She stressed that the allegations must be investigated and their veracity established through evidence.
The Congress demanded that the CBI clarify the progress of its examination of Sanawar’s statements, alleged audio recordings and other digital evidence. The party also questioned whether any attempt had been made to exert pressure, influence the investigation into the alleged VIP angle or broker a compromise.
The party called for an independent and impartial inquiry into any such allegations if supported by complaints or evidence. It maintained that no individual should be presumed guilty before the facts are established, while insisting that serious questions surrounding the case must not remain unanswered.
The Congress further sought an investigation into allegations of attempts to remove Sanawar’s statements from social media or exert pressure on her. It urged the CBI to examine any available evidence relating to such claims.
Congress Demands Justice for Ankita’s Parents
Pradesh Mahila Congress president Jyoti Rautela said Ankita Bhandari’s parents had been struggling for justice and deserved clear answers from the government and investigating agencies.
She said the family’s repeated demands for an impartial investigation into the alleged VIP angle should be taken seriously. The authorities, she added, must publicly clarify what progress has been made in examining this aspect of the case.
Rautela also called for an evidence-based inquiry into any allegations of pressure or attempts to broker a compromise in connection with the investigation, particularly amid questions surrounding Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment and the controversy surrounding the case.
Congress Lists Key Demands
The Uttarakhand Congress put forward the following demands:
Clarification on the narco test: The CBI and the concerned court should clarify the status of the proceedings following Sanawar’s arrest and ensure that further action is taken in accordance with the law.
Impartial investigation into the alleged VIP angle: Sanawar’s statements, the names mentioned by her, alleged audio recordings and other digital evidence should be examined fairly and thoroughly.
Explanation for the timing of the arrest: The Uttarakhand Police should clarify the circumstances and legal basis of the arrest immediately before the scheduled proceedings.
Investigation into alleged pressure or attempts at compromise: Any credible evidence of attempts to influence the investigation should be independently examined.
Clarity on earlier and current cases: The authorities should explain the legal basis and status of the earlier complaint, reports concerning a non-bailable warrant and the latest case.
Probe into alleged social media interference: Any attempts to remove Sanawar’s statements from social media or pressure her should be investigated on the basis of available evidence.
Justice for Ankita’s family: The authorities should pursue every significant aspect of the case impartially, keep the family informed about the investigation and prevent unnecessary delays.
The Congress reiterated that the investigation into Ankita Bhandari’s murder must remain free from political influence and that all allegations, including those concerning the alleged VIP angle, must be examined on the basis of evidence. It urged the investigating agencies to provide clear answers and ensure that Ankita’s family does not have to wait any longer than necessary for justice.
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