Haryana: INLD Leader And Former MLA, Fatally Shot While Travelling, Here's All That Has Happened So Far

Nafe Singh Rathi, the Haryana unit president of the Indian National Lok Dal and a former MLA, was fatally shot on Sunday (25 February) evening along with another party leader who was traveling with him as per a report by NDTV.

The attack took place in Jhajjar district when unidentified gunmen ambushed their SUV. Two others were critically injured in the attack.

Rathi and his associates were inside the vehicle when the assailants, who arrived in a car, opened fire.

The attackers fled the scene after the assault. Rathi was pronounced dead on arrival at the Brahm Shakti Sanjivani Hospital, where the injured were rushed for treatment.

Rathi, who served as an MLA from Bahadurgarh, was a prominent political figure in Haryana.

The state police are on high alert following the attack and have named four men, namely Naresh Kaushik, Ramesh Rathi, Sathish Rathi, and Rahul in the FIR. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage to track the attackers' arrival and escape routes.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has vowed that no culprits in the case will be spared, instructing the police to arrest the accused promptly and take strict action.

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij has also directed officials to take immediate action in the case.

Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his associate Kala Jathedi are suspected to be behind the attack, which is believed to have stemmed from a property dispute.

The incident has sparked criticism from the opposition, with claims of a breakdown in law and order in the state.

Abhay Chautala, a leader of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), has accused the Haryana Government of neglecting to provide security to Nafe Singh Rathee despite his having expressed concerns about threats to his life.

Chautala demanded the resignations of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij and called for a CBI probe into the incident.

Nafe Singh Rathi had previously served twice as a legislator in the Haryana Legislative Assembly and was the state president of the Haryana Former Legislators Association.

He had also contested Lok Sabha elections from the Rohtak constituency and held positions in the Bahadurgarh Municipal Council. Rathi had faced legal troubles in the past, including allegations related to a suicide case for which he was granted anticipatory bail in January 2023.