Atar Singh Bhadana, a former BJP MLA, was struck on the head and fractured in several places after a confrontation with villagers at his stone crusher site in Bhonda village, Bharatpur, on Sunday night. Around 70 to 80 villagers allegedly attacked him and his associate Gagan Sharma with sticks and stones, forcing the pair to flee to a nearby hospital in Weir before Bhadana was transferred to SMS Hospital in Jaipur, where he died upon arrival. His wife Kamlesh Bhadana said the assault began after Bhadana tried to remove a peaceful protest of 20 to 25 workers who had gathered to block the crusher’s reopening. The protest had been ongoing for 10 to 15 days amid accusations that Bhadana was encroaching on grazing land and engaging in illegal mining.
Bharatpur Superintendent of Police Rajesh Meena secured the crime scene and called in a forensic science laboratory team to collect evidence. Meena said several suspects have been taken into custody for questioning and that the investigation will proceed under the Rajasthan Police Act. The police report lists the attackers by name and their ages, and the forensic team has begun compiling a chain‑of‑custody log.
Congress and opposition leaders slammed the BJP government, with former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot calling the incident a “blot on the system” and demanding an impartial probe. Opposition MLA Tikaram Jully accused the ruling party of using police intimidation to silence dissent, while RLP convener Hanuman Beniwal demanded swift action against those responsible. The Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani expressed grief, urging the state to ensure that public safety is restored.
Police have announced that they will file charges against the detained suspects under the Indian Penal Code, and a court hearing is slated for the first week of next month. The investigation will also cover the alleged failure of security protocols during the two‑year dispute over the crusher’s reopening. Bhadana’s family has returned to Faridabad for his last rites, underscoring the personal toll of the violent clash.