In a shocking incident on Sunday afternoon, Haryana Indian National Lok Dal president Nafe Singh Rathee was shot dead in broad daylight in Jhajjar district whilst travelling in his car. Unidentified gunmen in a Hyundai i10 pulled up alongside Rathees SUV and opened fire at close range before speeding away from the scene. Rathee was rushed to hospital but was sadly pronounced dead on arrival. Mr Rathee suffered multiple bullet injuries and bled extensively. Our attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, said a doctor at the hospital. Police suspect that the attack was orchestrated by members of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, potentially relating to ongoing property disputes. A well-known Jat community leader, the former MLA had a varied political career spanning the BJP, INLD and independent parties after initially being denied candidate nominations. He also served two terms as Chairman of the Bahadurgarh Municipal Council. However, the former national wrestling delegate was recently mired in controversy last year when becoming the chief defendant in the suicide case of Jagdish Rathee, son of ex-BJP minister Mange Ram Rathee. He was charged with abetment after Jagdishs family accused Rathee of harassment over property matters leading him to take his own life.The shooting took place in broad daylight around 5pm near the Barahi railway crossing in Bahadurgarh. Rathee was travelling with three private bodyguards who were also injured during the assault. Police said that initial enquiries indicate that the attack was carried out at close range whilst Mr Rathees car was stationary.
