NEW DELHI / DEHRADUN – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially re-registered a criminal case to investigate allegations of evidence destruction and the involvement of unidentified “VIPs” in the high-profile Ankita Bhandari murder case. The move follows a formal complaint by renowned environmentalist and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi, and subsequent approvals from both the Uttarakhand and Central governments.
The new FIR (RC0502026S0002), registered by the CBI’s Special Crimes Unit-II in New Delhi on February 2, 2026, focuses on the alleged concealment of facts that emerged after the original murder trial.
The Complaint: Public Outcry and “VIP” Allegations
The investigation was triggered by a written complaint filed by Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi on January 9, 2026, at the Basant Vihar Police Station in Dehradun. Dr. Joshi highlighted widespread public concern and social media reports suggesting that while the primary killers of Ankita Bhandari had been punished, a “separate crime” involving influential individuals remained unaddressed.
Key allegations in the complaint include:
- Concealment of Evidence: Assertions that critical evidence in the case was intentionally hidden or destroyed to protect certain individuals.
- The “VIP” Factor: Persistent references in the public domain and media to unidentified “VIPs” who were allegedly linked to the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
- Need for Independent Probe: Dr. Joshi urged for a “fair and independent investigation” to uncover the truth and ensure complete justice.
Legal Framework and CBI Takeover
The case was initially registered by the Dehradun Police as FIR No. 0006/2026. However, recognizing the gravity of the allegations, the Uttarakhand government issued a notification on January 10, 2026, consenting to a CBI probe. The Central Government (Department of Personnel & Training) finalized the transfer of the case to the CBI on February 2, 2026.
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The CBI has invoked several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023:
- Section 238: Relating to the disappearance of evidence or giving false information to screen an offender.
- Section 249: Relating to the harboring of offenders.
- Section 45: Relating to the abetment of these offences.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The probe has been entrusted to Shri Prashant Srivastava, Additional Superintendent of Police, CBI, Special Crimes-II, New Delhi. The agency will now look into the “attempts, abetments, and conspiracies” connected to the alleged destruction of evidence and the role of any “unknown” persons who may have influenced the case.
The FIR was formally dispatched to the Court of the Special Judicial Magistrate (CBI cases) in Dehradun by Bharat Bhushan Bhatt, Superintendent of Police, CBI.
