BJP leader shot dead in Haryana's Sonepat over land dispute

A tragic incident occurred in Haryana's Sonepat district where a local BJP leader was shot dead over a land dispute. The incident, which was caught on CCTV, shows the victim being chased and shot multiple times by the attacker. The police have arrested the suspect and are investigating the matter.

Incident details

The victim, Surendra Jawahar, was the president of BJP’s Mundlana mandal in Sonepat. He was also the 'nambardar' (village headman) responsible for collecting land revenue and maintaining land records. According to the police, the murder was the result of an ongoing land dispute with his neighbour, Mannu.

The incident took place on Friday night. CCTV footage shows Jawahar entering a shop, trying to escape from the attacker. However, Mannu chased him into the shop and fired three shots, killing him on the spot.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Gohana, Rishi Kant, stated that the accused, Mannu, was arrested and charged with murder. The police are currently interrogating him to gather more details about the motive behind the attack.

Jawahar’s uncle, Sultan Singh, filed a complaint with the police. He mentioned that Jawahar had purchased three bighas of land from Mannu’s uncle and aunt. The land was under legal dispute, and Mannu had allegedly been threatening Jawahar over it. Despite these threats, Jawahar had continued to pursue the matter, which led to rising tensions between the two parties.

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Investigation and background

After the shooting, Jawahar’s body was taken to Bhagat Phool Singh Medical College for Women in Khanpur Kalan for post-mortem examination. The police are examining the forensic report to gather more evidence.

Surendra Jawahar had a significant political background. He was initially associated with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) before joining the BJP. In 2021, he served as the state president of BJP’s panchayati raj wing. His influence in local politics and his involvement in land matters made him a well-known figure in the region.

Police officials believe that the land dispute escalated due to legal complications and personal differences. Mannu had reportedly issued several warnings to Jawahar in the past, but the issue remained unresolved. The police are also investigating whether other individuals were involved in the dispute or the planning of the attack.

Residents of Mundlana have expressed shock over the incident. Jawahar was known for his active involvement in village affairs and his leadership in resolving local issues. The police have assured the community that they are conducting a thorough investigation and will take strict action against the accused.

Political leaders from the BJP have condemned the attack and have called for a detailed inquiry into the matter. They have also requested increased security for party members involved in sensitive matters like land disputes.

The case highlights the growing tensions over land ownership and disputes in rural areas. The police are working to gather more evidence and hope to file a chargesheet soon. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.