Dehradun, November 13: A special CBI court in Dehradun has permitted television actress Urmila Sanawar to undergo narco-analysis and polygraph tests as part of the investigation into audio recordings allegedly linked to the ‘VIP’ angle in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. The court recorded her statement on Friday after she voluntarily consented to both tests.

The tests will be conducted in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, although the dates are yet to be finalised. Sanawar will undergo a medical examination before the tests, her lawyer said.

At a Glance

A special CBI court has approved narco-analysis and polygraph tests on Urmila Sanawar.

The tests will be conducted in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, but dates are yet to be fixed.

The CBI is examining the authenticity of audio recordings that allegedly refer to a ‘VIP’.

Resort owner Pulkit Arya and his two associates have been sentenced to life imprisonment in the murder case.

What Happened?

Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist at the Vanantara Resort in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand's Pauri district, was murdered on September 18, 2022. Her body was recovered from the Chilla canal on September 24. Resort owner Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, and his two employees, Saurabh Bhaskar and Ankit Gupta, were accused in the case.

In May 2025, a Pauri court convicted all three and sentenced them to life imprisonment. According to the prosecution, Ankita was pressured to provide ‘special services’ to guests visiting the resort. The prosecution told the court that she was murdered after refusing to comply with the demand.

The alleged involvement of a politically influential ‘VIP’ in the murder has once again triggered controversy. In December 2025, Sanawar released audio and video recordings which she claimed contained a conversation with former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore. The recordings allegedly refer to the identity of the ‘VIP’. The CBI is examining their authenticity.

As part of the investigation, the CBI had issued notices to Sanawar and Rathore. In October, both agreed to undergo narco-analysis and polygraph tests.

Who Said What?

Sanawar’s lawyer, Shivani Tomar, said her client had consented to both tests before the court and that her statement had been recorded. She added that Sanawar’s medical examination is likely to take place in the third week of November. The dates for the narco-analysis and polygraph tests will be finalised afterwards.

Sanawar has claimed that a politically influential ‘VIP’ was involved in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. According to her allegation, the person in question is a newly appointed Governor of a northeastern state.

Ankita Bhandari’s parents have also alleged that the said ‘VIP’ was connected to the murder. They claim that the person’s name was not included in the investigation because of political influence.

The Governor concerned has denied the allegations. Describing them as false and defamatory, the Governor has filed defamation cases against several individuals in the Delhi High Court.

Background

During the initial investigation into Ankita Bhandari’s disappearance and murder, questions were raised over the role of the local revenue police. The demolition of a portion of the resort also triggered controversy. Protests demanding an independent investigation spread across Uttarakhand.

In February this year, the investigation was transferred to the CBI. While the agency continues to examine the audio recordings, Sanawar was arrested in a separate case in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on October 25. She was subsequently granted bail by a Haridwar court in a separate case involving allegations of defamation and extortion.

Significance for Assam and the Northeast

The allegations surrounding the identity of the purported ‘VIP’ have drawn attention to the Northeast, as a newly appointed Governor of a northeastern state has been named in the claims. However, the Governor concerned has denied the allegations.

What Happens Next?

Sanawar’s medical examination will be followed by the finalisation of the schedule for her narco-analysis and polygraph tests in Gandhinagar. The CBI is expected to pursue further investigation into the audio recordings and the alleged ‘VIP’ connection based on the next steps in the probe.