In a fresh twist to the 2022 Rishikesh resort murder case, expelled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Jawalapur MLA, Suresh Rathore, has vehemently denied the authenticity of an audio clip circulating online. He has labeled the clip as fabricated using artificial intelligence and part of a conspiracy to tarnish his and the party's image.
Allegations and Counter-Allegations
The controversy erupted after a woman from Saharanpur, Urmila Sanawar, who claims to be Rathore's wife, released an audio clip. The clip purportedly features a conversation between Sanawar and Rathore. Following the audio, she also shared a video alleging that a senior BJP leader was a "VIP" connected to the murder case.
Rathore, however, has completely rejected these claims. He stated that he has filed a formal complaint with the Haridwar police, seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Sanawar. In his complaint, he has demanded that her mobile phone be seized for a thorough forensic examination to prove the clip's inauthenticity.
"The audio clip is fake and AI-generated. This is a deliberate attempt to malign BJP and leaders associated with me. I have no connection with her," Rathore asserted. He further alleged that Sanawar has been leveling false accusations against him and his family for the past two years.
The 2022 Rishikesh Resort Murder Case
The case at the center of this political storm is a tragic incident from September 2022. A 19-year-old receptionist at a resort in Pauri Garhwal was pushed into the Chilla Canal on September 18, 2022, and drowned. Her body was recovered six days later, on September 24.
The subsequent investigation led to the conviction of three individuals:
- Resort owner Pulkit Arya
- His manager, Saurabh Bhaskar
- Assistant manager Ankit Gupta
A local court in Kotdwar convicted them on May 30 this year and sentenced all three to life imprisonment. The court also imposed a collective fine of Rs 4 lakh. Following the incident, Pulkit Arya's father and former BJP leader, Vinod Arya, was expelled from the party.
Political Repercussions and Demands
The renewed focus on the case has triggered political reactions. On Tuesday, Uttarakhand Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal held a press conference in Delhi. He demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter, to be conducted under the supervision of a sitting or retired Supreme Court judge.
Godiyal warned of protests across the Garhwal region if the government does not order an inquiry within the next 10 to 12 days. This demand adds pressure on the ruling BJP in the state.
Responding to the allegations, BJP state general secretary Kundan Parihar dismissed them as baseless. He clarified that the party has no connection with the individuals making such claims and distanced the organization from the controversy.
The situation remains tense as police consider Rathore's complaint and political voices grow louder, demanding further scrutiny into a case that had seemingly reached judicial closure.
