SIT formed to probe Rohtak Cong worker’s murder

The district police authorities on Sunday formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Sampla DSP Rajnish Kumar, to probe the brutal murder of Congress worker Himani Narwal (29), a local resident.

Her body, bearing injuries marks on the neck, was found stuffed in a suitcase near the bus stand in Sampla town, approximately 25 km from the district headquarters, on Saturday. Four police teams are already working on the case.

Though Himani’s post-mortem examination was conducted by a board of doctors of the PGIMS here today, her family refused to cremate the body until the killer is apprehended.

The police are yet to identify any suspects. Himani’s mother, Savita, who is employed in Delhi, said her daughter’s growing popularity in the Congress might have been a reason for her murder.

“We will not cremate Himani’s body until the murderer is arrested. She had been living alone at Vijay Nagar locality in Rohtak city and was pursuing LLB after completing her BSc and MBA. Himani had been a dedicated member of the Congress for over a decade and had also participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi and in all other main activities during that time,” said Jatin, Himani’s younger brother.

Jatin also revealed that his elder brother, Kuldeep, was murdered in Rohtak in 2011 and their father, a BSF personnel, passed away in 2014. “My mother and I live in Delhi now. But Himani stayed in Rohtak due to her studies and party work. We were informed about her murder on Saturday afternoon when the police called my mother. We immediately rushed from Delhi to Rohtak on a motorbike and identified my sister’s body. The suitcase used in the crime also belonged to her,” he shared.

Speaking to the media outside the post-mortem house at PGIMS, Jatin became emotional and appealed to the police for justice for his sister. “How can such a brutal crime happen when the authorities are on high alert due to the civic body elections in Rohtak? There are numerous cameras near Himani’s house in Vijay Nagar and at the crime scene, yet the police have not yet found any leads,” he said. He also mentioned that she had celebrated his birthday on February 20 and was happy.

Savita, Himani’s mother, added that her daughter’s popularity had been steadily increasing following her active participation in the Bharat Jodo Yatra and her dedicated work for the Congress during the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections last year.

“Many were jealous of her following her growing popularity in this young age. She used to work late into the night for the party. I last spoke to her late in the evening on February 27. Next day, she was busy with the party programmes. We couldn’t get in touch with her after her phone was switched off on February 28 night,” an inconsolable Savita recalled.

Sampla DSP Rajnish Kumar confirmed the formation of the SIT, noting that the SHO of Sampla and the incharge of the Sampla police post would also be part of the team. Bijendra Singh, SHO, Sampla police station, said Himani’s body was yet to be handed over to the family. “The autopsy report is awaited to determine the cause of death,” he added.

Meanwhile, Congress MLAs Bharat Bhushan Batra from Rohtak and Induraj Narwal from Baroda (Sonepat) reached Himani’s house and consoled the family.