CBI questions Urmila Sanawar in Ankita Bhandari murder case probe
Synopsis
The CBI's sweep is widening fast — a four-member team reached Urmila Sanawar's Saharanpur home on Sunday, questioning the alleged wife of former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore just a day after Rathore himself was grilled in Haridwar. With an 'unknown VIP' formally named in the CBI's case and fresh political controversy over a BJP governor appointment, the Ankita Bhandari murder is far from a closed chapter.
Key Takeaways
A four-member CBI team questioned Urmila Sanawar at her Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh residence on 18 October 2026 .
Former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore was questioned by the CBI a day earlier at Shivalik Guest House, Haridwar .
The CBI took over the Ankita Bhandari murder probe in February 2026 after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recommended the transfer on 9 January 2026 .
The CBI's Special Crime Branch has registered a case against an 'unknown VIP' in connection with the murder.
Pulkit Arya , Saurabh Bhaskar , and Ankit Gupta were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court.
Bhandari's parents are demanding the government stall the appointment of Dushyant Gautam as Governor of Sikkim until the CBI probe concludes.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday, 18 October 2026, questioned Urmila Sanawar, the alleged wife of former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Suresh Rathore, at her residence in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, as part of its ongoing probe into the Ankita Bhandari murder case. A four-member CBI team, including a woman officer, conducted the questioning in what marks a fresh escalation in one of Uttarakhand's most politically charged criminal cases.
Background to Sunday's Questioning
Earlier this week, Sanawar had appeared at a press conference in New Delhi alongside Bhandari's parents. She had also issued a video message demanding that the CBI question her in the presence of the media, citing concerns that the investigation was not being conducted under the supervision of a sitting Supreme Court judge. Sunday's visit by the CBI team came a day after investigators questioned former BJP MLA Rathore at the Shivalik Guest House in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
How the Case Returned to the Spotlight
The CBI formally took over the Ankita Bhandari murder probe in February 2026, following a recommendation by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on 9 January 2026. The transfer came after viral audio clips and videos involving Sanawar surfaced earlier this year. During a Facebook Live session, Sanawar made references to the alleged involvement of a VIP in the murder, reigniting public outrage and prompting the Opposition and several civil society organisations to renew demands for a central investigation. The CBI's Delhi-based Special Crime Branch has registered a case against an 'unknown VIP' in connection with the matter.
The 2022 Murder and Convictions
Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist, was murdered on 18 September 2022 while working at the Vanantra Resort. Her body was recovered from the Chilla Shakti Canal nearly a week after she went missing. A 500-page charge sheet naming 97 witnesses — of whom 47 testified in court — was filed following a Special Investigation Team probe. The resort's owner, Pulkit Arya, along with co-accused Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Arya was found guilty on charges including murder, tampering with evidence, harassment, and immoral trafficking.
Political Controversy Over Governor Appointment
The case has acquired a new political dimension following the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Gautam as Governor of Sikkim. Several activists and the Indian National Congress (Congress) have organised protests in Uttarakhand and Delhi against the appointment. Bhandari's parents staged a sit-in at India Gate, demanding the appointment be put on hold until the CBI probe is concluded. They subsequently met CBI officials alongside Garhwal BJP MP Anil Baluni. The family has urged the government to ensure that all those responsible for their daughter's murder face strict punishment.
What Comes Next
With the CBI now questioning key witnesses and persons of interest in multiple states, the investigation is visibly gathering pace. Sanawar's demand for media-witnessed interrogation, and the family's push to stall the Gautam appointment, signal that political and legal pressure on the case is unlikely to ease in the near term. All eyes are now on whether the CBI will formally name the alleged VIP that multiple witnesses have referenced.
Point of View
Designed to raise the stakes for investigators and the government simultaneously. What is striking is that three people have already been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, yet the case refuses to close — a signal that the public, the family, and evidently the CBI itself believe the full chain of culpability has not been established. The linking of the governor appointment to the murder probe by protesters adds a dimension that could prove uncomfortable for the BJP at both the state and national level if the CBI's findings move in a particular direction.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the CBI question Urmila Sanawar in the Ankita Bhandari case?
The CBI questioned Urmila Sanawar, the alleged wife of former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore, as part of its probe into the alleged involvement of a VIP in the Ankita Bhandari murder. Sanawar had earlier made public statements during a Facebook Live session referencing a VIP's alleged role in the killing, which triggered fresh scrutiny and demands for a central investigation.
Who is Ankita Bhandari and what happened to her?
Ankita Bhandari was a 19-year-old receptionist murdered on 18 September 2022 while working at the Vanantra Resort in Uttarakhand. Her body was recovered from the Chilla Shakti Canal nearly a week later. Resort owner Pulkit Arya and two co-accused were subsequently convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
When did the CBI take over the Ankita Bhandari murder investigation?
The CBI formally took over the probe in February 2026, following a recommendation by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on 9 January 2026. The transfer came after viral audio and video clips involving Sanawar reignited public and political pressure for a central investigation.
What is the controversy over Dushyant Gautam's governor appointment?
BJP leader Dushyant Gautam was appointed Governor of Sikkim, which has drawn protests from Congress, several activists, and Ankita Bhandari's parents. They have demanded the appointment be put on hold until the CBI probe into the murder case is completed, though the government has not yet indicated any intention to do so.
Who was convicted in the Ankita Bhandari murder case?
Pulkit Arya, the owner of Vanantra Resort, along with co-accused Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Arya was found guilty on multiple charges including murder, tampering with evidence, harassment, and immoral trafficking. The CBI probe is separately examining an alleged VIP angle not resolved by the trial court proceedings.
