Fri May 30 10:17:48 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided information, followed by a news article rewrite:

**Summary:**

An Indian court in Uttarakhand has sentenced a resort owner and two employees to life imprisonment for the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist. The case triggered widespread protests, and involved the son of a former BJP leader. The trial lasted over two years, involving 47 witnesses.

**News Article:**

**Uttarakhand Resort Owner, Employees Sentenced to Life in Ankita Bhandari Murder Case**

**Kotdwar, Uttarakhand – May 30, 2025** – A court in Uttarakhand today sentenced Pulkit Arya, owner of the Vanantra Resort, and his employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, to rigorous life imprisonment for the 2022 murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari. The court also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on each of the convicts.

Bhandari, who worked as a receptionist at the resort in Yamkeshwar, Pauri district, was murdered on September 18, 2022. According to the prosecution, the trio pushed her into the Cheela canal in Rishikesh following a dispute. Her body was later recovered from the canal.

The case sparked widespread public outrage and protests in 2022, demanding justice for Bhandari. The state government formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the matter. Demonstrations were held, including one led by Uttarakhand Women Congress President Jyoti Rautela.

The trial, which lasted two years and eight months, saw the examination of 47 witnesses. The sentencing brings an end to a long and closely watched legal battle. The accused, Pulkit Arya, is the son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, who was expelled from the party after the murder came to light.

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