Chandigarh:

Nafe Singh Rathi, Haryana Indian National Lok Dal president and former MLA, was shot lifeless this night by unidentified gunmen who ambushed the SUV he was travelling by in Jhajjar district. Another social gathering chief who was travelling with him have additionally died whereas two others are critically injured.

Rathi and his associates have been contained in the automobile when the boys, who got here in a automotive, opened hearth. The attackers fled the scene after the assault.

The injured have been instantly rushed to closeby Brahm Shakti Sanjivani Hospital for medical therapy however the former MLA was declared lifeless on arrival.

Rakesh Sihag, the pinnacle of the INLD’s media cell, confirmed Nafe Singh Rathi’s demise within the shootout.

Nafe Singh Rathi served as an MLA of the INLD from Bahadurgarh the place the assault passed off. The state police is on alert after the stunning assault. Several groups have been swiftly mobilised to the scene of the crime and are accumulating proof to establish the circumstances surrounding the assault. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from numerous places within the neighborhood to find out the route of the attacker’s arrival and their 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 stated whereas condoling Nafe Singh Rathi’s demise.

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij has instructed the officers to take speedy motion within the case.

Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his shut affiliate Kala Jathedi are suspected to be behind the assault. Initial inquiries recommend that the assault was resulting from a property dispute.

The incident has drawn sharp response from the opposition which alleged a breakdown in regulation and order within the BJP-ruled state. INLD chief Abhay Chautala claimed that Nafe Singh Rathi wasn’t provided security though he “asked for it in writing” months in the past.

The opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party additionally hit out on the Manohar Lal Khattar authorities over the incident.

Nafe Singh Rathi served twice as a legislator within the Haryana Legislative Assembly. He was additionally the state president of the Haryana Former Legislators Association. Rathi as soon as contested Lok Sabha elections from Rohtak constituency and had been actively concerned in political affairs.

He additionally served twice because the Chairman of the Bahadurgarh Municipal Council.

His identify hit headlines final yr when former Haryana minister Mange Ram Rathi’s son Jagdish Rathi died by suicide and a case was filed towards Nafe Singh Rathi beneath the fees of abetment. Allegations of harassment have been subsequently leveled towards Rathi and his nephew Sonu in reference to the suicide case. Rathi was granted anticipatory bail by the High Court on January 24, 2023.