Rishikesh Resort: “Drug Abuse, Prostitution were among Regular Services:” Former Employees
NEW DELHI, Sept 27: Some former employees of the resort near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand where the 19-year old Ankita Bhandari was allegedly killed, have claimed that drug abuse and prostitution were among the regular “services” the resort owner Pulkit Arya used to provide to his guests.
The son of a now expelled BP leader and former minister Vinod Arya, had claimed that Pulkit was a “simple boy” who could not do any criminal activities. He, however, had stated that Pulkit was not staying with the rest of the family and was living separately.
“The resort management would provide illicit liquor, ganja (cannabis) and other drugs, and even girls, to the guests,” said Rishita, who worked there as a receptionist while her husband, Vivek, worked as a housekeeper, until two months ago. They had quit before Ankita Bhandari joined in August.
Just days later, Ankita Bhandari was murdered allegedly by Pulkit Arya and two staff members of the resort — Vanantra, near Rishikesh, in Pauri district — after she refused to be a part of the prostitution ring, police investigation has found so far. They were arrested last Friday, almost a week after Ankit Bhandari had gone missing, after protests and allegations that police were slow because a ruling party leader was connected to the case.
“I felt they wanted me to get into it too,” Rishita said, “They would abuse me, use the worst of slurs.” Her husband, Vivek, said, “I was beaten up and blackmailed over some theft allegations after I objected.” He alleged that the local patwari — revenue official who handles law and order in the rural area — sided with the owner in “not just assaulting me but torturing me mentally too.” “After working there for about a month, I was sick of the wrong activities and stopped going to work.” He said he resumed work after a week as Pulkit Arya and the two managers had assured him “those things won’t happen”.
But that was only for a few days. Soon, it was business as usual for Pulkit Arya, providing drugs and girls and doing other such things for guests,” Vivek further said. He said that after completing a month and a half, he asked for his salary and said he was quitting, at which Pulkit Arya accused him of a petty theft and beat him up.
“I called the cops, who told me the area isn’t under regular police but handled by a patwari (land revenue official). When the patwari came there upon my complaint, he in turn asked Pulkit Arya, ‘What do you want me to do with him’? They abused me and threatened me with torture in custody. I was forced to write an apology. They used that apology as a blackmail tool. But eventually we just left, willing to risk any consequences,” he further alleged.
(Manas Dasgupta)
