The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore at a guest house in Haridwar on Saturday in connection with the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari
The questioning came a day after Ankita’s parents met senior CBI officials and demanded narco-analysis tests on Rathore and actor Urmila Sanawar. They have called for further investigation into allegations of a possible VIP link to their daughter’s murder.
Ankita, 19, worked as a receptionist at a resort in Uttarakhand. Her body was found in Pauri Garhwal in September 2022.
Ankita’s Parents Seek Narco Tests On Rathore, Sanawar
Ankita’s parents met senior CBI officials on Friday and submitted a letter seeking narco-analysis tests on Rathore and Sanawar. An official, speaking
on condition of anonymity, said the demand followed the circulation of an audio recording that allegedly referred to the involvement of a senior BJP leader in the case.
#WATCH | Haridwar | Former MLA Suresh Rathore says, “I cooperated with the investigation—nothing more, nothing less. I have no further comment. We provided full cooperation to the CBI during their questioning…I have shared everything relevant to the investigation. I have extended my full cooperation and will continue to do so…As for Urmila Sanawar, I know nothing about her. I have no idea who she is. I know nothing at all”
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2026
The recording has brought renewed attention to the family’s demand for a thorough investigation into the alleged VIP angle. The allegations have not, however, established the involvement of any additional person in the crime.
Parents Meet CBI Director Over Alleged VIP Link
Speaking to ANI on Friday, Ankita’s father, Virendra Singh Bhandari, said the family had met the CBI Director in the presence of Lok Sabha MP Anil Baluni.
He said their main demand was that Dushyant Kumar Gautam should not take oath as a Governor or assume another official position until narco-analysis tests had been conducted on Rathore and Sanawar.
The family has been seeking a probe into the alleged VIP connection to the murder and wants the appointment of Gautam to be put on hold until the investigation is completed.
Parents Had Protested Against Gautam’s Appointment
The meeting with CBI officials came days after Ankita’s parents were detained in Delhi while staging a sit-in near India Gate. They were protesting against Gautam’s appointment as the Governor of Sikkim.
Gautam served as the BJP’s Uttarakhand in-charge from November 2020 to August 2026. He was appointed Governor of Sikkim earlier this week.
Ankita’s father has publicly demanded action over the alleged VIP angle, saying those responsible for his daughter’s death must be held accountable.
The CBI’s questioning of Rathore marks the latest development in the case as the family continues to press for answers over the circumstances surrounding Ankita’s murder.
