Justice Delivered: Pulkit Arya and Two Others Sentenced in 2022 Resort Murder Case
📍 Location: Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand
A local court in Pauri Garhwal district has sentenced three men, including Pulkit Arya — the son of a former BJP leader — for the 2022 murder of a 19-year-old receptionist at the Vantara resort, owned by Arya’s family.
⚖️ Court Verdict
The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Reena Negi, pronounced life imprisonment for Pulkit Arya, Saurabh Bhaskar, and Ankit Gupta. Pulkit was fined ₹272,000, while the other two received fines of ₹262,000 each.
🚨 Charges Framed
According to prosecution lawyer Awnish Negi:
- Pulkit Arya was convicted under IPC Sections 302 (murder), 201 (evidence tampering), 354A (molestation), and Section 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
- Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta were found guilty under Sections 302, 201 of the IPC and Section 5 of the Immoral Traffic Act.
"We demanded the harshest punishment — the death penalty — under IPC Section 302," said the prosecution.
🙎♀️ The Victim and Timeline
The victim, aged 19, went missing on September 18, 2022, from the Vantara resort. Her father’s complaint to the local patwari was initially ignored. Her body was discovered six days later in the Chilla canal.
📱 Alleged Motive
Police revealed the victim had refused to provide “extra services” (a euphemism for sexual favors) to a VIP guest. WhatsApp chats suggest she was being pressured. An argument ensued at the resort on the day of the murder, after which the accused took her under the pretext of resolving the issue. She was later thrown into the canal.
🚔 Delayed Action and Cover-Up
Initially, police only reported the victim as “missing.” It wasn’t until the body was recovered on September 24 that the murder came to light.
🔥 Public Outrage
The incident sparked large-scale protests. Angry locals vandalized parts of the resort and attempted to torch a pickle factory on the premises. Authorities eventually controlled the fire and later demolished parts of the illegal resort.
🎙️ Political Reactions
- Congress: State Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana welcomed the court’s decision but urged the state government to push for the death penalty in the High Court.
- BJP: State BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt said, “The verdict brings closure and satisfaction to the people. Justice has been served due to solid evidence and strong prosecution.”
🧾 A Step Toward Justice
The judgment is seen as a step forward in ensuring women’s safety and reinforcing accountability — even when the accused are politically connected.
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