New Delhi: The State Disaster Response Force recovered the body of slain receptionist, Ankita Bhandari from Chilla canal in Uttarakhand's Rishikesh, said its spokesperson on Saturday, reported news agency ANI adding that her relatives were called to identify the body. The 19 year-old receptionist had went missing a few days ago following which three accused including Pulkit Arya, son of former Uttarakhand Minister and BJP leader Vinod Arya and owner of the resort where Bhandari worked, were arrested.
"The deceased's brother and father were here and they identified the body. The body found at the barrage is of Ankita Bhandari," said Shekhar Suyal, Additional Superintendent of Police, quoted by the news agency.
"Search operation was going on from 7am, we took out the body of a woman, her relatives came here & identified it to be the body of Ankita Bhandari. Deadbody taken to AIIMS in Rishikesh," said an SDRF official
As per a report by the news agency, the accused had confessed that he had pushed the victim into a canal after a dispute following which she drowned.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also annouced formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe into the matter which will be headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police P Renuka Devi.
Meanwhile, Vantara Resort in Rishikesh owned by Arya who allegedly murdered the 19 year-old woman was demolished after the orders by Chief Minister Dhami, said Abhinav Kumar, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, quoted by the news agency.
Following the alleged killing, the Uttarakhand CM has also instructed district magistrates to investigate all the resorts across the state. He also ordered that necessary action be taken against resorts that are operating illegally.
He said that strictest punishment will be given for such crimes.
"It is unfortunate. Police are working, they have done their work for making the arrests. Strictest punishment would be given for such heinous crimes, whoever be the criminal," he said.
The incident triggered anger amongst the locals as women gheraoed the Police vehicle that was carrying the accused in Ankita Bhandari murder case.