Latest news with #GangsterAct
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Kotdwar 2022 murder case: All three convicts sentenced to life imprisonment in under three years
A young woman's murder at a resort near Rishikesh in September 2022 had shocked the entire state. Now, nearly three years later, a Kotdwar court has sentenced all three accused to life imprisonment with rigorous punishment. The ruling highlights the thorough police investigation and strong legal efforts made by the prosecution. Quick action by police Within 24 hours of the case being handed over to the police, all three accused were arrested and key evidence was collected. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by senior woman IPS officer P. Renuka Devi was formed by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on 24 September. The SIT conducted a detailed investigation and submitted a 500-page charge sheet supported by over 100 witness statements. Government support to the family The government provided financial support of ₹25 lakh to the victim's family. A job was also given to her father and brother, showing the administration's commitment to helping them during this difficult time. Supreme Court approval of probe The Supreme Court found the investigation to be fair and satisfactory, reflecting the state's seriousness and transparency in handling the case. The government also invoked the Gangster Act against the accused, in addition to murder charges. Pledge for continued legal support Chief minister Dhami assured that the government will continue strong legal efforts if needed. He said delivering justice was a top priority, and the case would be pursued further to ensure justice is fully served.
Scroll.in
7 hours ago
- Scroll.in
Former BJP leader's son, two others sentenced to life imprisonment in Ankita Bhandari murder case
An Uttarakhand court on Friday sentenced the son of a former Bharatiya Janata Party leader and his two associates to life imprisonment in the 2022 Ankita Bhandari murder case, India Today reported. The Additional District and Sessions Court in Kotdwar also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 each on Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, and his associates Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta. All three were convicted for the murder of the 19-year-old. Bhandari was a receptionist at a resort in Uttarakhand's Rishikesh that was owned by Pulkit Arya. She went missing on September 18, 2022. A day later, Pulkit Arya, along with Bhaskar, who was the manager of the resort, and Ankit Gupta, its assistant manager, filed a missing person report. They later confessed to killing Bhandari by pushing her into a canal after an altercation. Messages sent by Bhandari to a friend on the messaging platform WhatsApp, which were uncovered later, suggested that the men had allegedly tried to force the 19-year-old into prostitution. Bhandari's body was recovered from the Chilla Canal in Rishikesh six days after she went missing. A preliminary forensic examination of visceral samples ruled out that she had been sexually assaulted. A Special Investigation Team had filed a 500-page chargesheet listing 97 witnesses in the case, of whom 47 testified during the trial that began in March 2023. Pulkit Arya and the two co-accused were charged under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to murder, destruction of evidence and sexual harassment. They were also booked under the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act and the Gangster Act.
India Today
11 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Ex-BJP leader's son, 2 others convicted for killing Uttarakhand hotel receptionist
An Uttarakhand court on Friday convicted Pulkit Arya, the son of a former BJP leader, and two others — Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta — for the 2022 murder of 19-year-old receptionist Ankita Additional District and Sessions Court in Kotdwar held all three accused guilty of killing Ankita, who worked at the Vanantara Resort owned by Pulkit Arya in the Yamkeshwar area of Pauri had gone missing on September 18, 2022. Days later, her body was recovered from the Chilla canal, and the incident rapidly turned into a national flashpoint over women's safety, political influence, and justice delivery. Allegations of a botched early investigation and political shielding further inflamed public anger.A Special Investigation Team (SIT) had filed a 500-page chargesheet, naming 97 witnesses, 47 of whom were deposed during the trial that began on March 28, Arya and two other accused were charged under Bharat Naya Sanhita sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 354A (sexual harassment), and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Later, Gangster Act was also invoked against the three Arya, the son of now-suspended BJP leader Vinod Arya, is accused of pressuring Ankita Bhandari to provide 'special service' to clients at the ahead of the court's verdict, Ankita's mother urged the judiciary to sentence all the three accused to death. "May the criminals be sentenced to death...I appeal to the public of Uttarakhand to keep on supporting us and come to the Kotdwar court to boost our morale," she said while speaking to news agency Reel
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Sharpshooter Of Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Killed In Police Encounter In UP
Lucknow: A joint team of Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force (STF) and Delhi Police gunned down a sharpshooter of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang in an encounter in the Hapur Kotwali area, officials said on Thursday. Identified as Naveen Kumar, he was wanted in multiple cases, including for murder and under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), a senior police officer said. ADGP (STF) Amitabh Yash said in a statement that on Wednesday night, a joint team of STF's Noida unit and Delhi Police's Special Cell engaged in a gunfight with criminals in the Hapur Kotwali area, in which Kumar was seriously injured. Kumar was taken to a local hospital, where doctors declared him dead, the officer said. A resident of Loni in Ghaziabad district, Kumar was an active sharpshooter of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, who worked closely with gang member Hashim Baba, the ADGP said. As many as 20 cases, including for murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, robbery and under MCOCA, were registered against Kumar in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the officer said. Kumar was first booked at the Seemapuri police station in Delhi under the Arms Act in 2008. In 2009, he allegedly committed a murder in the Sahibabad police station area, the officer said, adding that he was booked under the Gangster Act in Uttar Pradesh in 2010.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Sharpshooter of Lawrence Bishnoi gang killed in police encounter in UP's Hapur
A joint team of Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force (STF) and Delhi Police gunned down a sharpshooter of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang in an encounter in the Hapur Kotwali area, officials said on Thursday (May 29, 2025). The deceased has been identified as Naveen Kumar, who was wanted in multiple cases, including for murder and under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), a senior police officer said. ADGP (STF) Amitabh Yash said in a statement that on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) night, a joint team of STF's Noida unit and Delhi Police's Special Cell engaged in a gunfight with criminals in the Hapur Kotwali area, in which Kumar was seriously injured. Kumar was taken to a local hospital, where doctors declared him dead, the officer said. A resident of Loni in Ghaziabad district, Kumar was an active sharpshooter of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, who worked closely with gang member Hashim Baba, the ADGP said. As many as 20 cases, including for murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, robbery and under MCOCA, were registered against Kumar in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the officer said. Kumar was first booked at the Seemapuri police station in Delhi under the Arms Act in 2008. In 2009, he allegedly committed a murder in the Sahibabad police station area, the officer said, adding that he was booked under the Gangster Act in Uttar Pradesh in 2010.
