# Ankita Bhandari murder case political dispute > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ankita-bhandari-murder-case-political-dispute > Updated: 2026-09-18T13:53:08.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. The murder of Ankita Bhandari in Uttarakhand has become a focal point of political tension between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress. Following the Uttarakhand High Court’s rejection of bail pleas for the accused, the BJP defended the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. Party representatives emphasized that the government prioritized justice by forming a Special Investigation Team and facilitating a CBI investigation to respect the victim’s family. The BJP accused the Congress party of attempting to “politicize the case” and interfering with the legal process by demanding the public release of investigation reports before completion. In response, the Uttarakhand Congress organized a protest and peace march on the anniversary of Bhandari’s death. Led by party officials, the protesters demanded transparency and an impartial investigation, specifically calling for the government to address alleged “VIP” involvement. Congress leaders stated that the struggle for justice would continue until the circumstances of her death are fully revealed, framing the case as a matter of women’s safety and judicial integrity. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-18: Uttarakhand Congress protests for justice in Ankita Bhandari case Uttarakhand Congress leaders held a protest and peace march on the death anniversary of Ankita Bhandari, demanding an expedited and transparent CBI investigation into the case. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uttarakhand-congress-protests-for-justice-in-ankita-bhandari-case ### 2026-08-21: Uttarakhand BJP defends CBI probe in Ankita Bhandari murder case The BJP has defended the CBI's investigation into the Ankita Bhandari murder case following a court rejection of bail for the accused, accusing the Congress party of politicizing the tragedy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uttarakhand-bjp-defends-cbi-probe-in-ankita-bhandari-murder-case --- Cite as: Ankita Bhandari murder case political dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ankita-bhandari-murder-case-political-dispute