# Ankita Bhandari murder investigation

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ankita-bhandari-murder-investigation
> Updated: 2026-10-27T03:22:30.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is continuing its probe into the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old resort receptionist in Uttarakhand. 

In mid-October, the CBI began questioning former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore in Haridwar. This interrogation followed a meeting with the victim’s parents, who requested narco-analysis tests for Rathore and actress Urmila Sanawar due to allegations of a ‘VIP link’ and a circulated audio recording. The primary accused remains Pulkit Arya, the son of a former BJP leader.

By late October, the investigation expanded to include the summoning of journalist Ashutosh Negi, the primary petitioner who sought the CBI probe. The investigation has recently focused on the alleged involvement of an “unknown VIP” following the arrest of Urmila Sanawar in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in connection with a separate FIR regarding defamatory social media remarks.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-27: CBI summons journalist in Ankita Bhandari murder case

The CBI has summoned journalist Ashutosh Negi for questioning in the Ankita Bhandari murder case as investigations continue into the alleged involvement of a VIP.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cbi-summons-journalist-in-ankita-bhandari-murder-case

### 2026-10-17: CBI questions former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore in Ankita Bhandari murder case

The CBI has questioned former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore in connection with the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari, following demands from the victim's parents for narco-analysis tests on key figures.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cbi-questions-former-bjp-mla-suresh-rathore-in-ankita-bhandari-murder-case

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Cite as: Ankita Bhandari murder investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ankita-bhandari-murder-investigation