The brutal murder of a 22-year-old Congress worker Himani Narwal has sparked strong political reactions in Haryana. Her body was found stuffed inside a suitcase near the Sampla bus stand in Rohtak, leading to an immediate police investigation.
Congress leaders have condemned the incident and demanded a high-level probe.
Senior Congress leader and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda called the murder “painful” and blamed the state’s law and order situation. “Haryana is number one in crimes against women. The guilty must be given the strictest punishment, whether they are from inside or outside the party,” Hooda said.
He added that he had spoken to the police and was assured of developments in the case soon. Bhupinder Hooda described the incident as “barbaric” and a “blot on the state’s law and order.” He urged the government to ensure justice for Narwal’s family and deliver the strictest punishment to those responsible.
Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda also questioned the deteriorating law and order in Haryana and urged the police to arrest the culprits at the earliest. Party MLA B.B. Batra demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter, highlighting that Narwal was an active Congress worker who participated in all party events.
The incident occurred just a day before Haryana’s municipal elections, raising political tensions. The results of the elections are set to be announced on March 12.
Police said the suitcase containing Narwal’s body was found by passers-by, who then informed authorities. A forensic team reached the spot, and initial investigations suggested she was strangled with a dupatta. Her body had been sent to PGIMS Rohtak for post-mortem.
The Congress party expressed deep sorrow over Narwal’s murder and demanded an impartial investigation.
BJP MP Kiran Chaudhary also condemned the killing, calling it a “very tragic incident.” She stressed that criminals must be punished swiftly. However, she claimed that the BJP would win the municipal elections without opposition and dismissed Congress’ demand for ballot paper voting as a “meaningless issue.”
In response to allegations that the Congress had failed to implement its past manifesto promises, Chaudhary took a dig at Hooda, saying, “He was Chief Minister twice. He should know that financial provisions are made in the budget for such things.” She also claimed that Hooda was now sidelined within his own party.
Sampla Police Station SHO Bijendra Singh stated that it appeared Narwal was murdered before her body was placed in the suitcase and dumped by the roadside. “Further action will be taken after the post-mortem report,” he said.
