Nafe Singh Rathi was shot dead while going to his home in Bahadurgarh.
New Delhi:
The SUV in which Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Nafe Singh Rathi was traveling was stopped at a railway crossing yesterday when a car stopped near the vehicle. Five people got down and then the Toyota Fortuner in which the INLD leader was traveling was sprayed with bullets. Sixty-six-year-old Rathi and one of his associates were killed in the firing, and two others were seriously injured.
Police are now searching for the i20 car which is suspected to be used by the killers. In CCTV footage from Haryana’s Jhajjar district, the car is seen following the SUV as it approaches the railway crossing. The car returning after about 20 minutes was captured on the same camera.
Mr. Rathi was sitting in the front and his nephew was driving the car. Behind was INLD leader Jaikishan Dalal and a gunner deployed for the security of INLD leader. Police sources said around 20 rounds of bullets were fired, most of which were at the main target.
NDTV visited the site this morning, hours after the attack, which sent a wave of mourning across the state. Pieces of glass from the car windows were on the ground. The railway crossing at Barahi is on the way to Mr Rathi’s house in Bahadurgarh. Police said that it was closed at that time and the killers took advantage of this opportunity to complete their work. Police sources said the attack appeared to have been carried out by professionals.
A case of murder has been registered against several family members of BJP leader Naresh Kaushik and Bahadurgarh Municipal Corporation Chairperson Saroj Rathi and others.
Senior police officer Arpit Jain said five teams led by two DSP rank officers are investigating the murder. “We will find the killers as soon as possible,” he said.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said yesterday, “Not a single culprit involved in this case will be spared. Police have been directed to arrest the accused as soon as possible and take the strictest action.”
The opposition has criticized the state government and alleged deteriorating law and order situation in Haryana. INLD leader Abhay Chautala alleged that Mr Rathi was not provided security even though he had “demanded it in writing” months ago. Congress and Aam Aadmi Party also targeted the Manohar Lal Khattar government regarding this incident.
Mr Rathi’s name came into limelight last year in a case of abetment of suicide. Jagdish, son of former Haryana minister Mange Ram Rathi, had died by suicide and a case was registered against Mr Rathi on charges of abetment. Mr Rathi and his nephew Sonu were also accused of harassment. The INLD leader was granted anticipatory bail by the High Court on January 24 last year.
