Former MLA Nafe Singh Rathi, the president of the Indian National Lok Dal’s Haryana unit, was shot and killed on Sunday night in the Jhajjar district when unknown assailants ambushed his SUV. Along with him on the trip was another party leader who passed away, and two more sustained serious injuries.
The men arrived in a car and started firing while Rathi and his companions were inside. Following the attack, the attackers left the area.
The former MLA was pronounced dead upon arrival at the nearby Brahm Shakti Sanjivani Hospital, where the injured were hurriedly sent for medical attention.
The chairman of the INLD’s media cell, Rakesh Sihag, verified that Nafe Singh Rathi had died in the gunfight.
In Bahadurgarh, the location of the incident, Nafe Singh Rathi was an MLA for the INLD. Following the startling incident, the state police are on high alert. Numerous teams have been dispatched promptly to the crime scene to gather evidence and determine the facts surrounding the incident. Police are examining CCTV footage from other nearby locations to ascertain the attacker’s path of entry and subsequent escape route.
“Not a single culprit involved in this case will be spared. Police have been instructed to arrest the accused as soon as possible and take strictest action,” Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said while condoling Nafe Singh Rathi’s death.
Anil Vij, the home minister for Haryana, has directed the officials to move quickly on the matter.
The attack is thought to have been carried out by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his close associate Kala Jathedi. Preliminary investigations indicate that a property dispute led to the attack.
The opposition, which claimed that there was a breakdown in law and order in the BJP-ruled state, responded sharply to the occurrence. Abhay Chautala, the leader of the INLD, stated that despite having “asked for it in writing” months prior, Nafe Singh Rathi was not given security.
Regarding the incident, the opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party also criticised the Manohar Lal Khattar administration.
Nafe Singh Rathi was a member of the Haryana Legislative Assembly for two terms. In addition, he served as the Haryana Former Legislators Association’s state president. Rathi has a history of involvement in politics and ran for the Lok Sabha in the Rohtak constituency.
Additionally, he presided over the Bahadurgarh Municipal Council thrice.
When Jagdish Rathi, the son of former Haryana minister Mange Ram Rathi, committed suicide last year and Nafe Singh Rathi was accused of aiding and abetting, the issue made national news. After thereafter, Rathi and his nephew Sonu were accused of being harassed in relation to the suicide case. The High Court granted Rathi anticipatory bail on January 24, 2023.
