A 40-year-old man from Gurgaon has died weeks after he was brutally assaulted for objecting to the harassment and video recording of women working in his fields. The incident, which highlights ongoing rural conflicts and crimes against women, has led to a significant police investigation and multiple arrests.
Chronology of a Fatal Assault
The tragic sequence of events began on October 8, 2023. According to police reports, women labourers from nearby villages were working in the fields of Malkit Singh, a resident of Naharpur village. On that day, Shabbir and Nazim arrived at the location. The duo allegedly misbehaved with the women and started making videos of them without consent.
When Malkit Singh objected to this harassment, the accused abused and threatened him. They then called for reinforcements, summoning individuals identified as Sajjo, Bhuru, Tayyab, and 20-22 others. The large group then assaulted Malkit Singh and his brother, Kuldeep, with sticks. In a further escalation, Shabbir allegedly fired a gunshot
Police Investigation and Arrests
The Sadar Taoru police in Nuh first received information about the violent altercation on October 8. Upon arrival, they found Malkit Singh had already been admitted to CHC Taoru. The police obtained his medico-legal report but the victim was referred to a higher medical centre before a formal statement could be recorded.
On October 10, 2024, Malkit Singh managed to submit a written complaint detailing the entire incident. Based on this, a formal case was registered at the Sadar Taoru police station. Tragically, Malkit Singh later succumbed to the injuries sustained in the attack, leading police to add murder charges to the case.
Given the seriousness of the crime, the Haryana director general of police directed the investigation to be transferred to the Gurgaon police. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted on August 21, 2024, to spearhead the probe.
In a significant breakthrough, the SIT arrested the key accused, Nazim (37), a resident of Kangarika village in Nuh district, from Sector 10 on Saturday, October 24, 2024. The arrest was led by Inspector Ajay Kumar under the supervision of ACP (Crime-II) Lalit Kumar. Nazim had been absconding since the incident.
So far, police have arrested a total of four accused in the case: Shabbir, Alam, Aamir, and Nazim. During interrogation, Nazim told police that the assault took place following an argument with the deceased.
Broader Implications and Community Impact
This case has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising serious concerns about the safety of women agricultural workers and the vulnerability of those who stand up against harassment. The use of violence to suppress complaints highlights a dangerous trend in rural disputes.
The formation of the SIT and the subsequent arrests demonstrate the heightened police attention on the case. The investigation continues as authorities work to ensure all individuals involved in the fatal assault are brought to justice. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the challenges in combating rural crime and protecting citizens' rights.
