Video date: 25 September 2022 (NDTV)

source- https://theprint.in/the-fineprint/bjp-leaders-sons-resort-in-rishikesh-where-ankita-worked-didnt-have-govt-approvals/1152271/

This article also mentions that her living quarters were demolished, potentially destroying key forensic evidence.

Thadiya is the most important folk dance among Garhwali folk and of course the most diverse dance too. This dance is performed in many ways and has many variations. One such variation of Thadiya is Bon Thadiya, Bon means two-storeyed. In this Thadiya, women perform the dance by climbing on the shoulders of men.

While the Ankita Bhandari case is in the news, here’s another case from Uttarakhand that many have forgotten.

In November 2014, 7-year-old Kashish Chand from Pithoragarh was raped and murdered in Haldwani. She went missing from a wedding function on 20 November. Her body was found five days later near Gaula river.

Three accused were arrested:

Akhtar Ali (main accused)

Prem

Junior Masih

In 2016, the trial court sentenced Akhtar Ali to death and Prem to prison. Junior Masih was freed.

In 2019, the Uttarakhand High Court upheld the death sentence for Akhtar Ali.

In September 2025, The Supreme Court (Justices Vikram Nath, Sanjay Karol & Sandeep Mehta) freed both for these main reasons:

The prosecution failed to prove a complete and unbroken chain of circumstances linking them to the crime.

DNA and forensic evidence was found unreliable -problems in sample collection, chain of custody, and the expert’s qualifications.

The “last seen” theory was weak and contradicted.

Motive was not properly established.

Several investigative lapses and doubts about the arrest process.

The Court said when two views are possible, the benefit of doubt must go to the accused. It also held that the death penalty cannot be given on such weak evidence.

Both were ordered to be released.

All three accused are free today.

A couple from Chamoli in their traditional attire

Hi everyone! Is anyone here from Pithoragarh or familiar with a village called Bankoo?

I’d love to know more about the place, like how the area is, the natural surroundings, the environment, the people, connectivity, and what life is generally like there.

If you’re from Bankoo or have visited it, please share your experience :)

Original source : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DejY2FkPPtG/?srtk=MXVobHFxazhoYjJocg==