‘No Reason to Delay’ Justice for Nikita Tomar, Says Her Father

A case of stalking was filed against the accused in 2018, but was later withdrawn by Nikita Tomar’s family.

The woman was shot dead after she resisted a man’s attempts to shove her into a car.

(Photo Courtesy: YouTube Screengrab)

The father of 21-year-old Nikita Tomar, who was shot dead outside her college in Haryana, on Thursday, 29 October, sought speedy justice for his daughter and said “there’s no reason for delay”.

“I want the accused to be hanged. I trust the judicial system of our country but it also depends on the handling of the case. There’s CCTV footage, accused have confessed their crime, so there’s no reason for delay.”

Nikita Tomar’s father, according to ANI

Speaking about the police action in Tomar’s case, the Haryana Chief Minister said: “Victim's family is satisfied with Haryana govt's action. Culprits were nabbed within 2 hours of the incident and one who helped them was also arrested. Fast track court would be established in this case for giving strict punishment to culprits.”

Meanwhile Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij, on Thursday, said that her case will be heard in a fast-track court so that “day-to-day hearing can be held and the accused can be punished soon.”

Nikita Tomar had filed a molestation complaint against her alleged stalker Touseef in September 2020. A month later, on 26 October, she was shot dead by the same man, outside her college campus in Ballabgarh, Faridabad.

Touseef, Rehan, and a third accused Arju were arrested by Haryana Police in connection with the case and have been sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Speaking to The Times of India, Nikita's father Mool Chand Tomar, confirmed that a police complaint was filed last month.

“He has been persistently calling her up for the past few weeks and pressuring her to convert to Islam and marry him, but she refused.”

Who Is Touseef? How Did He Know Nikita?

According to media reports, the accused and alleged stalker Touseef was Nikita’s batchmate at school. Touseef is the nephew of Congress' Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed.

After completing schooling, Touseef decided to pursue a course in Physiotherapy, while Nikita, a topper enrolled in Agarwal College in Ballabgarh, was pursuing her undergraduate degree in Commerce.

The 21-year-old woman wanted to pursue civil services, a relative told The Times of India.

Stalking Case Registered In 2018 But Withdrawn

The Haryana Police told the newspaper that a case was registered against Touseef after he allegedly abducted Nikita in 2018.

However, Nikita's family withdrew the case after a panchayat was held, the report said, adding that her family was pressured by Touseef's relative who held political influence in the state.

Nikita was reportedly assured that Touseef will not “trouble her anymore.”

Investigation Underway

The video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, shows the woman running away and attempting to escape, before she was shot dead. Touseef was seen attempting to shove her into a car.

An FIR was registered under IPC sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) and relevant sections of Arms Act at Ballabgarh police station.

While the three accused are under arrest, the country-made pistol was recovered by police. Arju provided the country-made pistol to Touseef.

(With inputs from Times of India)