Who Was INLD Chief Nafe Singh Rathee? Haryana Politician Shot Dead In Jhajjar; CCTV Footage Viral

Haryana finds itself on the edge as the Indian National Lok Dal's (INLD) Haryana unit president, Nafe Singh Rathee, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Jhajjar district on Sunday. The incident occurred when Rathee's SUV was fired upon by unidentified men in Bahadurgarh, Jhajjar, resulting in the demise of the former MLA and a member of his security team, while leaving two others critically injured.

The attack, occurring just weeks before the Lok Sabha elections, elicited strong reactions from the Opposition, who alleged a breakdown in law and order in the BJP-ruled state. INLD leader Abhay Chautala has called for a CBI probe into the incident, stating, "Those who require security are not receiving it, whereas those accused in several cases are receiving it. Therefore, I hold the chief minister responsible for this incident."

Who was Nafe Singh Rathee?

Rathee, a prominent Jat leader, hailed from the Jatwada village in Bahadurgarh. His political career, spanning 40 years, was initiated in the INLD. He served as an MLA from Bahadurgarh from 1996 to 2005 and subsequently assumed the presidency of the party's Haryana unit. Additionally, he held the position of chairman of the Bahadurgarh Municipal Council for two terms.

In 2014, he transitioned to the BJP after being denied a ticket by the INLD. However, he was not granted a ticket by the BJP either, prompting him to contest independently. Returning to the INLD in 2018, he was later elevated to the position of president of the party's Haryana unit in 2020, succeeding Birbal Das Dhalia, who had been elevated as the INLD national president.

Rathee had encountered legal issues in the past. He was identified as the main accused in the suicide case of Jagdish Rathi, son of former BJP minister Mange Ram Rathi, and was booked under Section 306 (abetment to suicide). A Lookout Circular had also been issued against Rathee, preventing him from leaving the country. According to Jagdish's family, Rathee had allegedly harassed him regarding a real estate matter.

Security Breach in Rathee's Assassination, claims Abhay Chautala

After Rathee's fatal shooting, Abhay Chautala claimed that the leader had informed him months earlier about the threat to his life, indicating the possibility of an attack at any moment. Chautala accused the government of failing to provide Rathee with adequate security despite the perceived threat and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij.

Haryana Deadly Ambush: Unit Chief and Guards Attacked in Bahadurgarh

On Sunday, the unit chief was being driven in his SUV by three private gunmen hired for his security in Bahadurgarh in Jhajjar district. The spot was approached by the unidentified assailants in another car - a Hyundai i10 - and indiscriminate firing was initiated at Rathee's vehicle near the Barahi railway crossing.

Later reports indicated that Rathee had been hurried to a nearby hospital but was declared dead. According to an Indian Express report, the three security personnel were also injured in the attack, with one of them - identified as Jai Kishan from Jhajjar's Mandothi village - also succumbing to his injuries. The other two are still under treatment.

Jhajjar Superintendent of Police Arpit Jain stated that the incident is being investigated by the CIA and STF teams of the police. He mentioned that the accused will be arrested soon. According to a News9Live report, it is presumed by the authorities that the killing is part of a contract murder.

The possibility of gang involvement is being explored, with attention directed towards the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. A Hindustan Times report further indicated that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi is suspected by the police to be behind the attack, with initial inquiries suggesting property disputes.

Meanwhile, Haryana home minister Anil Vij revealed that he had instructed officials to take immediate action. He informed that the matter is under investigation by the Special Task Force and assured that the culprits will be apprehended soon.

Reactions from other leaders

Following the emergence of the incident, the ruling government was criticized by the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alleging a breakdown in law and order. Expressing his dismay, senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda remarked, "The unfortunate news of INLD state president Nafe Singh Rathee being fatally shot in Haryana reflects the state's law and order...Today, the sense of security is lacking in the state."

AAP leader Sushil Gupta commented that "the rule of law has collapsed in Haryana, giving way to lawlessness", emphasizing, "No individual feels secure in Haryana today." AAP chief and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal lamented the situation as unfortunate, attributing the deterioration of law and order in the state to the BJP.