Uttarakhand authorities looking into resort’s demolition in Ankita Bhandari murder case

The victim’s father alleged while speaking to media persons that the ‘bulldozer action’ had destroyed evidence

A day after the father of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari, who was allegedly murdered by the son of a BJP leader in Uttarakhand, questioned the demolition undertaken at the resort where the victim worked, Pauri Garhwal District Magistrate Vijay Kumar Jogdande told The Hindu that the demolition order had not been sent from his office.

“There are several agencies who can take this action. We are examining who did it,” Mr. Jogdande said.

“The orders may have come from police, Revenue Department, Sub-Divisional Magistrate or from the civic and development authority. After this matter came into my knowledge from the media, I am inquiring about it,” he added.

Shekhar Suyal, Superintendent of Police Kotdwar, said that the police had not ordered the demolition.

Also read: Amid protests by thousands across Uttarakhand, family cremates murder victim

Virendra Bhandari, the victim’s father, had earlier on Sunday refused to cremate his daughter, and alleged while speaking to media persons that the “bulldozer action” had destroyed evidence. Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat also raised the issue.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, on the other hand, lauded the demolition at the resort, which took place at about 2 a.m. Locals shared a video of the demolition by a bulldozer, after which unidentified persons set the resort premises on fire.