Dehradun:

Fresh protests erupted in Dehradun on Sunday as members of civil society, social organisations and political parties marched towards the residence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the 2022 murder of a young receptionist from Pauri Garhwal. The protesters, however, were stopped by police barricades near Hathibarkala, leading to a tense face-off.

Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat also began a six-day foot march (padyatra) from Haridwar to intensify the demand for a CBI inquiry. The march is scheduled to pass through Manglaur, Roorkee and Laksar before concluding in Doiwala on January 9.

The case pertains to the murder of a 19-year-old woman who was working as a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Yamkeshwar, near Rishikesh. On September 18, 2022, she was allegedly killed by resort owner Pulkit Arya and his two associates, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, who reportedly pushed her into the Chilla canal following a dispute. The crime had sparked widespread outrage across Uttarakhand at the time.

Protesters alleged that influential individuals linked to the case were being shielded and reiterated claims that the victim was pressured to provide “special services” to a VIP guest. Harish Rawat said the incident was not just a murder but an assault on the dignity and self-respect of Uttarakhand’s daughters. He maintained that justice would only be possible through a CBI investigation, adding that the victim had spoken about the pressure she faced before her death.

Meanwhile, the BJP dismissed the allegations, accusing the Congress of indulging in political opportunism. BJP state general secretary Kundan Parihar termed the protests “disgusting politics,” while party leaders insisted that no VIP involvement was found during the investigation. On January 3, Haridwar SP (rural) Shekhar Suyal also stated that the probe had not revealed the role of any VIP.

The case was investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which filed a 500-page charge sheet in December 2022, including statements from 100 witnesses, forensic and post-mortem reports, electronic evidence and WhatsApp chats. A Pauri district court later sentenced all three accused to life imprisonment.

Despite the verdict, the victim’s family continues to seek harsher punishment, with her mother demanding the death penalty and urging people to keep supporting the cause. Adding to the pressure on the government, various organisations announced plans for intensified protests. Uttarakhand Kranti Dal youth wing president Ashish Negi said public anger was growing, while Mohit Dimri of the Mool Niwas, Bhoo Kanoon Samanvay Sangharsh Samiti announced a proposed statewide shutdown on January 11 if a CBI probe is not ordered.

State cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal said the government was open to any investigation, but asked those making allegations to come forward with concrete evidence. BJP state media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan accused the Congress of spreading misinformation and misleading the public, asserting that the allegations were based on unverified claims.

As the padyatra continues and protests intensify, the case has once again brought the spotlight on accountability, justice and the demand for an independent investigation in one of Uttarakhand’s most controversial crimes.

Dehradun Protests Intensify as Harish Rawat Leads March Demanding CBI Inquiry in 2022 Receptionist Murder Case

The demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the 2022 murder of a young receptionist from Pauri Garhwal echoed across Dehradun on Sunday, as members of civil society, social groups and political parties marched towards the residence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The march was halted by police after barricades were set up at Hathibarkala, triggering a confrontation between protesters and security personnel.

Former Uttarakhand chief minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat also launched a six-day foot march from Haridwar to press for an independent investigation into the case. His padyatra is scheduled to pass through Manglaur, Roorkee and Laksar before concluding in Doiwala on January 9.

The case relates to the killing of a 19-year-old woman who worked as a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Yamkeshwar, near Rishikesh. On September 18, 2022, she was allegedly murdered by resort owner Pulkit Arya and two staff members, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, who reportedly pushed her into the Chilla canal following an altercation. The incident had sparked massive protests across Uttarakhand.

Protesters accused the state government of protecting influential people connected to the case and reiterated claims that the victim was under pressure to provide “special services” to a VIP guest. Harish Rawat said the murder was directly linked to the honour and dignity of women in Uttarakhand and alleged that the resort had become a centre of “pressure politics.” He maintained that justice could only be ensured through a CBI probe.

The Bharatiya Janata Party rejected these allegations, accusing the Congress of politicising the tragedy. BJP state general secretary Kundan Parihar said opposition parties were indulging in irresponsible politics. Haridwar SP (rural) Shekhar Suyal also stated earlier this month that the investigation did not find the involvement of any VIP.

The case was probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which filed a detailed 500-page charge sheet in December 2022. The documents included statements from 100 witnesses, forensic and post-mortem reports, electronic data and WhatsApp chats. A court in Pauri district later sentenced all three accused to life imprisonment.

Despite the verdict, the victim’s family continues to seek stricter punishment. Her mother has demanded the death penalty for the accused and appealed to the people of Uttarakhand to keep supporting the family’s fight for justice.

Meanwhile, protest organisers announced plans to escalate the agitation. Uttarakhand Kranti Dal youth wing president Ashish Negi said the growing public participation reflected widespread anger. Mohit Dimri of the Mool Niwas, Bhoo Kanoon Samanvay Sangharsh Samiti announced a call for a statewide shutdown on January 11 if the demand for a CBI probe is not met.

State cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal said the government was open to any form of investigation but asked those making allegations to present evidence. BJP state media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan accused the Congress of spreading misinformation and misleading the public, asserting that the claims were based on unproven statements.

As protests resume and the padyatra continues, the case has once again reignited debate across Uttarakhand over justice, transparency and accountability.