A 26-year-old professional bodybuilder from Rohtak, Rohit Dhankar, tragically died on Saturday after being brutally assaulted by around 20 unidentified individuals for objecting to the harassment of girls at a wedding in Bhiwani, police said.
The incident occurred on Friday night when Rohit, a resident of Humayunpur village, and his friend Jatin attended a wedding ceremony. During the event, the baraat from Tigdana village arrived, and some youths allegedly began harassing girls present at the venue. Rohit intervened to protect the victims, leading to a brief argument with the group, who left the venue afterward.
According to his family, after the wedding, Rohit and Jatin were driving home when their vehicle was intercepted by approximately 20 attackers armed with rods and sharp-edged weapons. A closed railway crossing forced them to stop, allowing the assailants to surround the vehicle. Jatin managed to escape on foot, but Rohit was caught and beaten mercilessly. His uncle, Satish Dhankar, stated that “there was not a single part of his body that did not have injury marks.”
Rohit was initially taken to a nearby hospital and later referred to PGIMS, Rohtak, where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday.
Rohit was a well-known bodybuilder and gym trainer at the Gymkhana Club in Sector 4, Rohtak. He had won gold medals in both the 2018 senior (107+ kg) and junior (107+ kg) categories at national-level competitions. In recognition of his achievements, he was honoured by the then Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, on August 15, 2018.
Rohit was the sole breadwinner for his mother and sister following the death of his father, Satyawan Dhankar, in 2017. His family described him as a responsible and caring son who had supported them through difficult times. His uncle emphasized that the family had struggled after his father’s death, with Rohit’s mother working as a tailor to raise him.
Speaking to media in Rohtak, Rohit’s brother-in-law, Ravi Khassa, said the family is devastated and demanding the death penalty for the attackers. His uncle went further, calling for the accused to be “encountered” due to the extreme brutality of the assault.
Police officials confirmed that multiple teams have been formed to identify and track down the suspects. They recorded statements from the family and conducted a post-mortem examination before handing over Rohit’s body to his relatives.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in the local community, raising serious concerns over public safety and the vulnerability of those who intervene to protect others in social settings. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the attackers to come forward to aid the ongoing investigation.
Rohit’s death highlights the dangers faced by individuals who confront criminal behaviour in public spaces, and it has reignited discussions about the need for stricter law enforcement and community vigilance to prevent similar tragedies.
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