Protests in the Ankita Bhandari murder case are set to intensify across Uttarakhand, with multiple social organisations, opposition parties and civil society groups calling for a statewide “Uttarakhand Bandh” on 11 January 2026.
The renewed agitation has been triggered by the circulation of controversial audio clips and allegations suggesting the involvement of an influential individual, reigniting public demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
Demonstrators have staged marches, including attempts to reach the Chief Minister’s residence in Dehradun, insisting that justice remains incomplete unless all alleged perpetrators are investigated without exception.
The Uttarakhand government, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has responded by reiterating its commitment to justice, highlighting that the three main accused have already been sentenced to life imprisonment, and stating that the government is open to any probe after consulting Ankita’s parents.
As political tempers rise and legal counter-claims emerge, the state is bracing for widespread disruptions amid calls for accountability, transparency and restraint.
Protests Escalate Before Bandh
The call for an “Uttarakhand Bandh” on 11 January marks a significant escalation in the protest movement surrounding the Ankita Bhandari case, which has once again captured public attention more than three years after the young woman’s death.
Activist groups, student organisations, women’s rights collectives and opposition parties have urged citizens, traders and transport unions to support the shutdown, describing it as a “collective moral stand” for justice.
Protestors have been gathering in Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri, Almora and other districts, holding placards demanding a CBI investigation and chanting slogans against what they perceive as political shielding of powerful individuals. Several marches have attempted to move towards the Chief Minister’s official residence, leading to police barricades and heightened security.
While no major violence has been reported, authorities have deployed additional forces to maintain law and order, appealing to protestors to demonstrate peacefully.
Congress leaders and regional political figures have openly backed the bandh, accusing the ruling BJP of failing to act decisively on fresh allegations. Protest organisers have stated that the bandh is not aimed at disruption for its own sake but at “keeping the pressure alive” until the government addresses unanswered questions.
Families of victims of violence, particularly women, have also joined the demonstrations, humanising the movement and underscoring broader anxieties around safety, accountability and justice in the state.
Case Background and Official Response
Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist, was murdered on September 2022 while working at the Vanantra Resort in Pauri district, a crime that sparked national outrage and widespread protests at the time.
The investigation led to the arrest of the resort owner and two employees, all of whom were later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, a development the Uttarakhand government has repeatedly cited as proof of its seriousness in pursuing justice.
However, public anger has resurfaced following the circulation of audio clips on social media in late 2025, which allegedly suggest the involvement of a politically connected individual often referred to as a “VIP” in public discourse.
These claims, though contested, have reignited demands for an independent central investigation. In response, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has stated that his government is “ready for any probe” and has emphasised that he intends to meet Ankita’s parents to understand their views before taking a final call on a CBI inquiry.
Senior BJP leaders and cabinet ministers have argued that the existing Special Investigation Team (SIT) found no evidence pointing towards the alleged VIP, cautioning against what they describe as misinformation and politically motivated narratives.
Legal action has also followed, with FIRs being filed over allegedly defamatory content and court orders directing the removal of unverified social media posts. The political slugfest has intensified, with the opposition insisting that only a CBI probe can restore public trust, while the government maintains that the rule of law must prevail over speculation.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The renewed protests over the Ankita Bhandari case reflect not just lingering grief over a young life lost, but also a deeper public unease about transparency, institutional trust and women’s safety. It is undeniable that securing life sentences for the convicted accused was a critical step towards justice, yet justice is not merely about punishment it is also about public confidence that no one, regardless of status or influence, is beyond scrutiny.
At the same time, a healthy democracy must guard against trial by social media, where unverified claims can polarise communities and derail due process. Peaceful protest remains a powerful and legitimate democratic tool, but it must walk hand in hand with empathy, factual integrity and respect for institutions.
