Police clarify Urmila Sanawar arrest is separate from narco test

Arrest Clarification

Haridwar police have clarified that Urmila Sanawar's recent arrest is part of a separate criminal case registered at the Ranipur police station on the 24th, and is not linked to her proposed narco analysis test. Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bhullar stated that the mobile phone used to make threats was recovered directly from her home. A court has sent her to judicial custody for 14 days.

Narco Test Process

Police explained that a narco test requires written consent from the person and a court order, and an arrest in another case does not stop this process. SSP Bhullar noted that some news portals spread confusing reports without proper facts, adding that this is the tenth case registered against Sanawar. Earlier, on October 23, Sanawar and former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore appeared before a Dehradun CBI court following notices over a viral audio clip containing alleged VIP names linked to the Ankita Bhandari murder case.

CBI Investigation

Sanawar had claimed that a live, properly conducted narco test could reveal major secrets about the Ankita Bhandari case, while Rathore stated he would fully cooperate with the CBI and is ready for a narco test. Meanwhile, the CBI also recorded the statement of journalist Ashutosh Negi at its headquarters. Negi was among those who previously approached the Uttarakhand High Court seeking a CBI probe. The CBI registered a case in February to investigate alleged VIP involvement in the 2022 murder of 19-year-old resort receptionist Ankita Bhandari, whose body was found near Rishikesh. Resort owner Pulkit Arya and two employees were previously sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime, and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami later recommended a CBI inquiry following demands from the victim's parents.

Context

High-profile criminal cases involving leaked audio and viral claims often trigger intense public debate and media speculation before formal court proceedings conclude. Investigative agencies like the CBI handle sensitive probes into such matters through formal legal procedures like witness testimonies and scientific tests. Understanding these official clarifications helps separate verified judicial steps from unverified rumors.