Haryana leader Rathee’s chilling murder: Could accused list in FIR be a clue to motive behind killing

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, February 27

In January last year, the Haryana Police had registered an FIR against six people, including Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Nafe Singh Rathee, under the charges of abetment to suicide following the death of Jagdish Rathi, the son of former minister Mange Ram.

Police had then said Jagdish's family had levelled allegations that some accused were trying to harass him in a property-related matter and as a result he was under great stress.

Abhay Chautala had then alleged that the FIR was registered as part of a political conspiracy. Rathee's family has now accused the BJP leader's relatives of plotting the murder of the INLD leader, reports NDTV.

Jagdish had allegedly released an audio note days before he consumed poison. The audio clip had mentioned several people, including Rathee.

Now, the list of accused in the INLD leader's murder includes Jagdish Rathi's son Gaurav and brother Satish. BJP leader Narendra Kaushik, and three relatives of Bahadurgarh municipal corporation chairperson Saroj Rathi. The FIR also mentions five unnamed accused.

Incidentally, the killers who shot dead INLD's Haryana unit chief in his SUV told his nephew, who was driving the vehicle, that they were sparing his life so that he could inform his family, according to an FIR.

Rathee and an INLD worker were killed when unidentified attackers sprayed their sports utility vehicle (SUV) with bullets on Sunday at Bahadurgarh in Jhajjar district.

Five unidentified killers, who were following them in a car, came out and fired indiscriminately near the Barahi railway crossing, said Rakesh, Rathee's nephew, in his police complaint.

Complainant Rakesh told police that he was behind the wheel and Rathee was sitting next to him. On the rear seat, two persons, including the INLD worker killed in the incident, were sitting.

Rakesh said they were returning to Bahadurgarh on Sunday evening.

According to the FIR, Rakesh said he saw that a white coloured car was following their vehicle. When tried to speed up, he found the Barahi railway crossing shut and then stopped the vehicle.

Suddenly, five assailants came out of the car and shouted that teach them a lesson for enmity with Satish, Karambir Rathee, Ramesh Rathee and Naresh Kaushik and they fired indiscriminately at them, alleged Rakesh in his complaint.

One of the assailants came to driver's window and told Rakesh that he was sparing his (Rakesh's) life so he could inform his family that if they go to the court against Naresh Kaushik, Karambir Rathee, Ramesh Rathee, Satish Rathee, Gaurav Rathee, Rahul and Kamal then would kill the whole family, according to the FIR.

Meanwhile, a CCTV footage surfaced on social media purportedly showing movement of the assailants in a car before the INLD leader was targeted. With PTI inputs

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