Rishikesh resort murder: How position of moon helped cops clinch key evidence in case
Dehradun: The main convict's claim in the Rishikesh resort murder case was debunked by none other than the moon. Soon after Pulkit Arya was convicted in the resort murder case along with two of his associates on Friday, P Renuka Devi, who headed the special investigation team (SIT) which probed the case, told TOI that inconsistencies in Arya's statements on what happened on the night of the murder were caught with the help of a meteorological observatory.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Arya, the resort's owner and son of expelled BJP leader and former minister Vinod Arya, had claimed the 19-year-old receptionist died after accidentally falling into a barrage. He further alleged that the incident took place around 9pm and that he and his associates could see and even tried to save the victim as she was falling. "To verify this claim, we contacted the meteorological observatory in Kolkata, which confirmed the moon rose only around 11pm in that area.
Thus, Arya's claim that there was natural light to see someone was false because it was pitch park at 9pm. Visibility was only possible using a mobile phone torch in the jungle near the barrage. The CCTV footage from the barrage also proved to be a key piece of evidence," Devi, who is currently serving as DIG with the CBI in Jaipur, said.
She added that "in a first, doctors from AIIMS Rishikesh who conducted the autopsy also visited the crime scene."
"They helped determine the height from which the victim fell into the barrage and assessed the nature of her injuries. This played a critical role in building the case."
The SIT, formed on Sept 24, 2022, began its investigation into the death of the woman, who had gone missing six days earlier (Sept 18) and whose body was later found in the Chilla Barrage near Rishikesh. Soon after, the team secured the remand of Arya and his associates, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
All three were found guilty of the receptionist's murder and were sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Kotdwar on Friday. Among the three, Arya was charged under IPC sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), and 354A (sexual harassment). The remaining two, Bhaskar and Gupta, were charged under IPC sections 302 and 201.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Cases filed against MLAs, pontiffs for blocking highway
Tumakuru: The state government has registered FIRs against protestors who had blocked the Bengaluru–Shivamogga highway opposing the Hemavati Express Link Canal project. The move, seen as a crackdown, has stirred political tension with cases booked against several prominent political leaders and activists in Tumakuru district. The FIRs were lodged at Gubbi police station against 11 individuals for allegedly assaulting police personnel, causing public nuisance, damaging government vehicles, and blocking the national highway. Among those named in the FIR are Tumakuru Rural MLA Suresh Gowda, Tumakuru City MLA Jyothi Ganesh, and Turuvekere MLA M.T. Krishnappa. BJP leaders Dileep Kumar and Hebbaka Ravi have also been booked, along with two swamijis, whose names have not been disclosed. In total, police have registered 11 FIRs, 10 of which are suo motu cases, while one is based on a contractor's complaint. Authorities expect three to four more cases may be filed in the coming days. Despite the legal action, BJP leaders have asserted that the protest movement will not be stopped. Congress MLA from Gubbi, Srinivas, expressed his opposition to the project too, stating that his stand aligns with public sentiment. Similarly, Kunigal Congress MLA has declared that water from the project should not be diverted to Magadi, but must remain restricted to Kunigal. The issue has triggered political back-and-forth, with BJP leader V. Somanna taking a swipe at Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. In a sarcastic tone, Somanna remarked, 'You are the king and the deputy CM; at least don't trouble the people of Tumakuru.' He also proposed that instead of diverting water to Magadi and Kanakapura, a new line should be laid from Tippagondanahalli and Manchanabele.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Milk, Marriage, And A Vanishing Bride: Agra Man Falls Victim To Elaborate Scam
Last Updated: On the wedding night, the bride gave Rinku a glass of milk. By morning, he and his mother were unconscious, and the bride had fled with the house's cash and jewellery A shocking case of fraud has surfaced in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, leaving locals stunned. A man named Rinku, who had hoped for a happy married life, was left betrayed and drugged on his wedding night. The incident occurred on May 4, when Rinku, son of Kusuma Devi, married a woman named Atima. The match was arranged by a middleman, who reportedly took Rs 1.20 lakh to finalise the wedding. The ceremony was held at a temple in Nagla Padi. On the wedding night, the bride went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of milk for Rinku. She told him, 'Wait, I'm coming." The next morning, both Rinku and his mother were found unconscious. Jewellery and cash from the house were missing—and so was the bride. Groom's Courage Exposes Fraud Instead of giving in to despair, Rinku and his family began their own investigation. They grew suspicious of the 'aunt' and 'uncle' who had posed as the bride's relatives during the wedding. After several days of searching in the Nagla Padi area, they identified the suspects and alerted the police. The accused, Sunita and Rajendra, were arrested. During interrogation, they admitted that they had no real relation to the bride. They were paid by the middleman to pose as her aunt and uncle to make the wedding appear legitimate. Local witnesses also confirmed that the two mingled and interacted with guests to make their presence seem genuine. Middleman The Mastermind According to the victim's family, the middleman, who lives in the Trans-Yamuna area, masterminded the entire plot. They allege that they had informed the police about him early on, but action was delayed. Rinku was even attacked during this time, prompting a separate FIR. Frustrated by police inaction, the family approached BJP MLA Dr Dharampal Singh. It was only after his intervention that the police took swift action, registered a case, and arrested the fake relatives. Efforts are now underway to track down the bride. Police say her arrest is expected soon. First Published: June 02, 2025, 10:05 IST
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
'Nobody will be permitted for love jihad...': BJP MP Alok Sharma targets Muslim gym trainers in Bhopal
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], June 2 (ANI): BJP MP Alok Sharma raised the issue of 'love jihad' in Bhopal, targeting Muslim gym trainers. He said that they will give a list of Muslim gym trainers to the police. Speaking to the media, MP Alok Sharma said, 'There are a lot of gyms in Bhopal we are enlisting, in which the trainers are Muslims. Even women should be gym trainers... We will give this list to the police in the coming times... Nobody will be permitted for love jihad now...' He also noted that 'land jihad' is going on in the state, and the administration will take action on such cases. 'Even land jihad is going on. This will not work. The law will do its work and take action on such matters...' BJP MP said. MP Alok Sharma's statement came after Bajrang Dal members complained of the presence of Muslim trainers in a gym in Bhopal. The BJP MP interacted with the media post the 'Bhopal Vileenikaran Diwas' (Bhopal Merger Day) celebrations on Sunday. According to an X post by the BJP MP, he hoisted the national flag at Jumerati Post Office, which was the main centre of the Bhopal Merger Movement. He remembered the freedom fighters and expressed his views on their important contribution. Mayor Malti Rai and family members of freedom fighters. Last month, Madhya Pradesh Minister Vishvas Sarang raised the issue of 'love jihad' in the state, after the main accused in an alleged rape and blackmailing case in Bhopal was shot in leg by police. Minister Sarang told ANI, 'Those who do such acts should be shot dead in the middle of the road. Acts like love jihad will not be tolerated. If such things are happening by forming gangs, then it is unacceptable. I would say, why should they have shot in the leg? They should have shot him in the chest. Such people have no right to live anywhere. Those who lure girls and commit crimes of conversion of religion then it is unforgivable. They should get shot on the chest and not on the leg.' According to the information, private college girls were allegedly targeted by some former students of their college, who lured them into a friendship trap, sexually assaulted and blackmailed them. FIRs were registered based on complaints by the victims. The police arrested five accused, including the main accused Farhan, in the matter so far, and different SITs (Special Investigation Teams) have also been constituted to probe the matter. (ANI)
