Daijiworld Media Network - Rohtak

Rohtak, Nov 30: A 26-year-old bodybuilder from Rohtak was beaten to death by a group of nearly 20 assailants after he confronted youths who were allegedly harassing girls at a wedding function in Bhiwani.

The victim, Rohit Dhankar of Humayunpur village, succumbed to his injuries at PGIMS Rohtak on November 29, police said.

Rohit, a professional bodybuilder and gym trainer at the Gymkhana Club in Sector 4, had won gold medals in the 107+ kg senior and junior categories at national-level events in 2018 and was felicitated by the then chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar the same year.

According to his family, Rohit had travelled to Bhiwani with his friend Jatin from Bondkalan village to attend the wedding. When the baraat from Tigdana arrived, some youths allegedly began misbehaving with girls at the venue. Rohit objected, triggering an argument that ended when the youths left the spot.

The family claimed that once the ceremony was over, Rohit and Jatin started for home but were waylaid by about 20 armed men. A closed railway crossing forced them to halt, allowing the group to surround their vehicle. Armed with rods and sharp weapons, the attackers allegedly dragged the two out.

Rohit’s uncle, Satish Dhankar, said the duo tried to escape on foot, but the attackers caught Rohit while Jatin managed to run away. “They beat him mercilessly. There was no part of his body without injuries,” he said. Jatin later returned and took Rohit to a nearby hospital, from where he was referred to PGIMS Rohtak. Rohit died on Saturday morning.

Rohit’s father, Satyawan Dhankar, had passed away in 2017. Since then, Rohit had been the family’s sole earner, supporting his mother and sister. His uncle said the family had struggled after Satyawan’s death, with Rohit’s mother working as a tailor to raise him.

Rohit’s brother-in-law, Ravi Khassa, speaking in Rohtak, said the family was shattered and wanted the accused to be handed the death penalty. The uncle demanded that the attackers be “encountered” for the brutality shown.

After being informed of Rohit’s death, Bhiwani police reached PGIMS, recorded the family’s statements and conducted the post-mortem. The body was later handed over to the family.

Police officials said several teams have been constituted to identify and arrest the suspects.