SRINAGAR: A 26-year-old national-level bodybuilder and para-athlete from Haryana’s Rohtak district died on Saturday after being brutally assaulted for allegedly confronting a group of men harassing women at a wedding in Bhiwani, Times of India reported on Monday.
Police said the victim, Rohit Dhankhar of Humayunpur village, was attacked late on Friday night after he intervened when members of a baraat allegedly misbehaved with women at the function. According to Times of India, Rohit had travelled to the wedding with a friend to offer ceremonial ‘shagun’.
Family members alleged that nearly 20 men, armed with sticks, rods and other weapons, surrounded Rohit and his friend at a railway crossing as they were returning home. While his companion managed to flee, Rohit was caught and beaten severely, suffering injuries across his body. He was taken to a local hospital and later referred to PGIMS Rohtak in critical condition, but doctors were unable to save him despite night-long efforts.
Police reached the hospital after being alerted, and a post-mortem was conducted based on the family’s complaint. An investigation is under way.
Relatives said Rohit, who had a disability in his right leg, was an accomplished athlete who won a gold medal at the 2018 National Powerlifting Championship and two international medals the same year. They demanded the harshest punishment for the attackers, calling it a “planned murder” and saying he “paid with his life for standing up for the dignity of women.”
