A large crowd gathered at Parade Ground in Dehradun on Sunday as a mahapanchayat was organised in support of the Ankita Bhandari murder case justice campaign. Members of the United Struggle Forum along with representatives of several social and political organisations from across Uttarakhand participated in the event, demanding strict action and transparency in the case.
The presence of Ankita Bhandari’s parents, Soni Devi and Virendra Singh Bhandari, added emotional weight to the mahapanchayat. Former chief minister Harish Rawat also reached the venue and expressed solidarity with the family. Protesters reiterated that the agitation would continue until action is taken against the alleged VIP involved in the case.
During the mahapanchayat, several resolutions were passed. Organisers warned that if the complaint submitted by the victim’s family is not acted upon within 15 days, a larger mahapanchayat will be convened and efforts will be made to meet the President of India. Another resolution demanded that the written complaint of Ankita’s parents be treated as the formal basis for a CBI investigation. Participants also sought that a BJP leader be brought under the investigation ambit and expelled from the party.
Ankita’s parents addressed the gathering and demanded that the CBI publicly disclose the name of the alleged VIP. “We want a fair investigation and complete truth to come out. Justice should not be selective,” they said.
Joint Struggle Forum patron Kamla Pant stated that the core demands of the mahapanchayat include an impartial probe into the VIP angle and the strictest punishment for all guilty. She alleged that the government has failed to act decisively and said future protest strategies will be announced based on the outcome of the resolutions.
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Considering the large turnout, heavy police force was deployed at Parade Ground and surrounding areas to maintain law and order. Officials said the situation remained peaceful throughout the programme.
