Promising Bodybuilder Loses Life After Standing Up Against Harassment
A 26-year-old professional bodybuilder and gym trainer from Rohtak, Rohit Dhankar, was brutally beaten to death by a mob of approximately 20 assailants after he objected to the harassment of girls at a wedding venue in Bhiwani. The tragic incident occurred on Friday night, and Rohit succumbed to his injuries at Rohtak's PGIMS on Saturday.
A Champion's Career Cut Short
Rohit Dhankar, a resident of Humayunpur village, was not just an ordinary fitness enthusiast. He worked as a bodybuilder and gym trainer at the prestigious Gymkhana Club in Sector 4, Rohtak, and had an impressive athletic record. In 2018, he had achieved the remarkable feat of winning gold medals in both the senior (107+ kg) and junior (107+ kg) categories at national-level competitions. His excellence in the sport was recognized by the then Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who honored him on August 15, 2018.
The Fateful Night of Bravery and Tragedy
According to statements from his family, Rohit had attended a wedding in Bhiwani with his friend Jatin, who hails from Bondkalan village. The situation turned grim when the baraat from Tigdana village arrived. Some youths from this group allegedly began harassing girls present at the venue. Displaying immense courage, Rohit intervened and objected to their inappropriate behavior, which led to a brief argument. The youths eventually left the scene.
The family claims that after the wedding concluded, Rohit and Jatin began their journey home. However, their vehicle was intercepted on the road by around 20 attackers armed with rods and sharp-edged weapons. A closed railway crossing forced them to stop, providing the assailants the opportunity to surround them.
Rohit's uncle, Satish Dhankar, provided harrowing details: "They tried to flee on foot but attackers caught Rohit while Jatin managed to escape. Rohit was brutally beaten. There was not a single part of his body that didn't have injury marks." After the attackers fled, Jatin took the severely injured Rohit to a nearby hospital, from where he was referred to PGIMS in Rohtak late at night. He passed away the following day.
A Family's Struggle and Demand for Justice
The tragedy has left Rohit's family devastated. His father, Satyawan Dhankar, had passed away due to a heart attack in 2017, making Rohit the sole breadwinner for his mother and sister. Satish Dhankar revealed the family's earlier struggles, noting that after Satyawan's death, Rohit's mother had raised him by working as a tailor.
Speaking to mediapersons in Rohtak, Rohit's brother-in-law, Ravi Khassa, expressed the family's anguish: "The family is devastated and is demanding the death penalty for the accused." He urged police to ensure the attackers do not escape justice. Rohit's uncle went a step further, demanding that the accused be "encountered" for the brutality they committed.
Police Investigation Underway
Following information about Rohit's death, Bhiwani police arrived at PGIMS in Rohtak, recorded the family's statements, and oversaw the post-mortem examination. The body was subsequently handed over to the grieving family. Police officials have confirmed that multiple teams have been formed to identify and track down the suspects involved in this heinous crime.
