India, Feb. 4 -- The CBI has registered a case against unknown persons to probe the alleged role of a "VIP" in the murder of 19-year-old resort receptionist Ankita Bhandari, whose body was found near Rishikesh in 2022, officials said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had recommended a CBI inquiry into the case on the demand of Ankita's parents after an actress, who claimed to be the wife of a legislator, circulated audio and video clips purportedly indicating the involvement of a 'VIP' in the murder. The CBI has taken over the state police FIR, which was registered based on a complaint by noted environmentalist and Padma Shri Anil Joshi, to investigate the alleged role of the 'VIP'. Ankita, who worked as a receptionist at t...