The Shocking Murder of Himani Narwal, a 22-Year-Old Congress

A horrifying crime came to light on March 1 when a suspicious suitcase was discovered lying unattended on a highway in Haryana's Rohtak district. Upon arrival, the police opened the suitcase and found the lifeless body of a young woman stuffed inside. The victim was later identified as Himani Narwal, a 22-year-old Youth Congress worker who gained prominence after actively participating in Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Her sudden and brutal demise has raised concerns and suspicions, with her family demanding justice. They believe that her murder might have been an insider’s job, suspecting that some party members were envious of her rapid rise within the Congress ranks.

Himani Narwal murder

The Murder: Timeline and Investigation

Key Events Leading to the Crime

February 27, 2024: Himani attended a wedding in Rohtak.
February 28, 2024: She was scheduled to participate in a Congress roadshow in the Kathmandi area but did not show up.
February 28 Evening: Her phone was switched off, and she went missing.
March 1, 2024: Her body was found inside a suitcase near a flyover next to the Sampla bus stand in Rohtak.

Himani had been living in her ancestral house in Vijaynagar, Rohtak, for the past five months. When she failed to attend the scheduled Congress event and remained unreachable, concerns grew about her whereabouts.

Autopsy and Preliminary Findings

According to preliminary police investigations, she was likely assaulted before being strangled to death. The autopsy was conducted at PGIMS Rohtak, and the final report is awaited.

Police Investigation Efforts

Rohtak Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijarniya stated that multiple police teams, including the Rohtak Crime Branch, are working on the case. A board of doctors was assigned to conduct a thorough postmortem examination, which was also videographed for record purposes.

Inspector Bijendra Singh, SHO of Sampla Police Station, highlighted the following investigation measures:

CCTV Analysis: Footage from a 25-kilometer stretch on National Highway 9, from Rohtak City to Rohad toll plaza, is being examined.
Surveillance of Hotels & Eateries: Authorities are scrutinizing CCTV footage from local hotels and roadside dhabas.
Interrogation of Suspects: Several individuals have been questioned in connection with the case.

A Suspect in Custody: Who is Sachin?

On Sunday night, Haryana Police apprehended two men from Delhi for questioning. After several hours of interrogation, one suspect—Sachin, a resident of Bahadurgarh—was arrested for the murder.

Key Allegations by the Accused:

Sachin reportedly claimed that Himani had extorted money from him—amounting to lakhs of rupees—and was demanding more.
Frustrated by the alleged blackmail, he decided to kill her at her residence.
After committing the murder, he stuffed her body in a suitcase and abandoned it near the bus stand.
During his arrest, Himani’s mobile phone was found in his possession.

The police are investigating Sachin’s claims and verifying if the motive was financial extortion or if there were other people involved in the crime. During his arrest, police also recovered Himani’s mobile phone from his possession, further linking him to the crime.

Family’s Demand for Justice

Himani’s family has refused to collect her body until they receive assurances of justice.

Her brother, Jatin, expressed outrage, stating:

“One accused has been arrested. Today, we will cremate her. There are too many rumors spreading in the media, but we will fight for justice. We want the death penalty for the accused.”
Her mother, Savita Rani, believes the murder could have been politically motivated:

“Several Congress leaders were jealous of Himani’s swift rise in the party. Someone from within the party could have been involved.”
Rani also revealed a personal tragedy:

“My elder son, Kuldeep, was murdered in 2011, but we never received justice in that case either.”

Political Reactions and Controversy

Himani’s murder has led to a political uproar, with several leaders demanding a high-level investigation.

BJP’s Response

Haryana Minister Anil Vij termed the allegations made by Himani’s mother as “serious”, adding:

“The Congress culture is about pushing people behind to move ahead. The police are conducting a thorough investigation.”

Congress Leaders Speak Out

Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Haryana Chief Minister, emphasized:

“A culprit is a culprit, whether from the party or outside. The law must punish the guilty. Congress stands firmly with Himani’s family.”
Rohtak Congress MLA B. B. Batra called for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to handle the case:

“She was a Congress worker. This brutal murder requires a high-level investigation.”

Hooda also took the opportunity to criticize the rising crime rates in Haryana, citing recent political murders:

A BSP leader was killed in Naraingarh—the Chief Minister’s hometown.
Last year, the INLD state chief was murdered in Bahadurgarh.
Several MLAs have received extortion threats.

Unanswered Questions and Next Steps

While Sachin’s arrest has provided an initial breakthrough, several crucial questions remain:

Was Himani’s murder a result of personal disputes, or was it politically motivated?
Did anyone else help Sachin in executing the crime?
Was there a larger conspiracy to eliminate her from the political scene?

Ongoing Investigation:

The police are analyzing call records and financial transactions to establish a clearer motive.
Authorities are also probing political rivalry as a possible cause.

The brutal murder of Himani Narwal has sparked national outrage, bringing to light concerns about political rivalry, safety, and crime in Haryana. As investigations continue, the truth behind her tragic death must be uncovered, ensuring justice for her family and accountability for those responsible.

With political pressure mounting and the public demanding answers, all eyes remain on law enforcement to deliver justice in this shocking case.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies