Haryana INLD Chief’s Murder: Killers Caught On CCTV, BJP Leader Among 7 Named In FIR

A surveillance camera footage has emerged during the police probe which shows the killer’s movement in a Hyundai i10 just before they sprayed the SUV of Haryana Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) Nafe Singh Rathee with bullets in Haryana’s Jhajjar district.

According to sources, Rathee’s car allegedly stopped at a railway crossing on Sunday when the killers’ car stopped near the vehicle. This was followed by a spray of bullets on the INLD chief’s car. Rathee, aged around 70, and one of his aides were killed in the firing, and two others were left critically injured.

Police are now looking for the Hyundai i10 car the killers are suspected to have used. Rathee was sitting in the front and his nephew was driving. INLD leader Jaikishan Dalal and a gunner deployed for the INLD leader’s security were sitting at the rear end.

Sources said about 20 rounds were fired, most of them at the prime target. Visuals of Rathee’s car show the bullet marks on Rathee’s car.

BJP leader among 7 named in FIR

A case of murder has been registered against seven people, including BJP leader and former legislator Naresh Kaushik and several family members of Bahadurgarh municipal corporation chairperson Saroj Rathi. Police later added other charges under other sections of the Indian Penal Code to the FIR.

Rathee’s name was in the news last year in an abetment to suicide case. Former Haryana minister Mange Ram Numberdar’s son, Jagdish, died by suicide and a case was registered against Rathee under charges of abetment. Allegations of harassment and land-grabbing were also levelled against Rathee and his nephew. The High Court granted the INLD leader anticipatory bail on January 24 last year.

Rathee’s family members have said they suspect Numberdar’s involvement in the INLD leader’s murder.

The attack, which came weeks before the Lok Sabha elections, drew sharp reactions from opposition parties, which alleged a breakdown in law and order in the BJP-ruled state. However, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that 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 the strictest action, he said.

INLD leader Abhay Chautala said Rathee had sought more security cover citing the threat to his life, but did not get any.