On Saturday, January 10, 2026, Uttarakhand Police filed an FIR to identify alleged 'VIPs' connected to the Ankita Bhandari murder case. This came a day after the State government recommended a CBI probe. The FIR was lodged at Vasant Vihar police station in Dehradun following a complaint by Padma Bhushan-awarded environmentalist Anil Prakash Joshi addressed to the Director General of Police. Mr. Joshi said, "The criminals involved in Ankita's murder have been convicted, but allegations are being made that evidence has been concealed or destroyed." He added that an investigation into a crime involving an unidentified person, described as a "VIP," is necessary to ensure full justice. The police registered the FIR under sections 238, 249, and 45 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat commented that "The person named in the FIR is a highly respected person, but it would have been better if the FIR had been filed on behalf of Ankita's parents." He urged that the State government summon Ankita's father, Virendra Singh, and with social workers, prepare the complaint as desired. Opposition parties demand the CBI probe be supervised by a sitting Supreme Court or High Court judge. Various political and social groups have called for a "Uttarakhand Bandh" on Sunday to demand this. State Congress president Ganesh Godiyal confirmed Congress will support the bandh. Garhwal Inspector General of Police Rajiv Swaroop said police are prepared to maintain security during the bandh. He also appealed, "to all parties to refrain from sharing any inflammatory posts on social media during this period."