Uttarakhand Police has questioned actress Urmila Sanawar, wife of former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Suresh Rathore, amid the controversy over an audio clip related to the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case.
Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh told ANI that police have recorded the statement of Urmila Sanawar, who created a sensation on social media by naming a “VIP” in the Ankita Bhandari murder case.
The SSP said that in the cases registered against Urmila in Nehru Colony and Dalanwala police stations of Dehradun, the police have interrogated her and recorded her statement.
He further said that apart from the video made viral on social media by the woman herself, the police have not found any other evidence yet.
The SSP further said that the investigating officers have also made audio and video recordings of the statements given by Urmila to the police.
Several cases are registered against Sanawar under various sections in several police stations of Dehradun and Haridwar. The police had earlier issued a notice to Urmila Sanawar for questioning.
Shiromani Guru Ravidas Vishwa Mahapeeth President Dharmendra Kumar has filed a case against Urmila Sanawar and Suresh Rathore at Bahadarabad Police Station, accusing them of tarnishing the image of the BJP leader.
Earlier, Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami met Ankita Bhandari’s parents and assured them that the state government stands with them.
The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand said, “A meeting was held at the government residence with the parents of the late daughter Ankita. During this, they were assured of legal, fair and prompt action on their demands. Our government stands strongly with the victim’s family and providing them justice is our top priority.”
Earlier, Dhami said that providing justice to the daughter of Uttarakhand has been the top priority of the state government. He said that the government has worked in this matter with complete seriousness, sensitivity and transparency.
Answering questions related to the Ankita Bhandari case at a press conference held at the media center of the Secretariat, the Chief Minister said that to ensure a fair and thorough investigation of this heinous crime, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under the leadership of woman officer Renuka Devi, which investigated all aspects of the case in depth.
As a result of the government’s vigorous and effective legal advocacy, all three accused have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
He further said that the investigation conducted by the SIT constituted by the state government has not only been found satisfactory by the lower court, but has also been confirmed by the High Court and the Supreme Court, which shows the impartiality and robustness of the investigation.
Dhami said that efforts are being made to create an unnecessary atmosphere in the state on the basis of the alleged audio clip. The judicial process has reached its logical conclusion and the culprits have been given severe punishment.
On the issue of CBI investigation, the Chief Minister clarified that although the sentiments of the entire state are with Ankita, her parents are the most affected by this tragic incident. He said that he will talk to Ankita’s parents and any further decision will be taken keeping in mind their feelings, pain and expectations.