Assaulted at wedding, Rohtak bodybuilder dies at PGIMS

The police have launched a hunt for the accused involved in the murder of 26-year-old Rohit Dhankar, a national-level bodybuilder and resident of Rohtak. Rohit was brutally assaulted during a wedding ceremony at Rewari Khera village in Bhiwani district yesterday.

He died at the PGIMS, Rohtak, on Saturday.

The victim worked as a gym trainer in Rohtak and had also won bodybuilding events. He had accompanied a friend, Jatin, to the wedding ceremony, where an argument with some persons of the marriage party escalated into a violent clash.

The SHO of Bhiwani Sadar police station, Vikas, said the police had launched a search for the accused and had identified four of the assailants, while there were about 14-15 unknown persons. He said one of the assailants was already facing criminal charges. “There was some brawl during the wedding ceremony when the marriage party accompanying the groom arrived at the house of the bride. The victim asked the youths to maintain order during the event so that there was no disturbance, especially to women gathered there. This led to a verbal spat, and later the accused chased Rohit and his friend Jatin when they were leaving the marriage function and brutally assaulted them with sticks and rods, leading to the death of Rohit. Jatin managed to escape and later returned to pick Rohit and rush him to the PGIMS, where he died yesterday. The accused even returned to assault Rohit again when he was being taken to the hospital, which further deteriorated his condition."

The SHO denied reports that Rohit was opposing a molestation bid on girls present there, which led to the brawl.

Ravi, a family member of the victim, said Rohit resisted some youths in the 'baraat' who were using abusive language and teasing girls. This led to a minor scuffle between Rohit and the group. Later, they along with several others attacked him.

Rohit was the primary breadwinner of his family. His father had died in 2017. His family is reported to have stated to the media in Rohtak that Rohit was an international bodybuilding medallist and was honoured by the then Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, on

Independence Day function.