Mechanic held hostage by residents in Manesar over ‘warranty dispute’
A service engineer was allegedly held hostage and assaulted by three men in Manesar over a washing machine repair dispute. An FIR has been registered, and police are investigating.
A service engineer was allegedly held hostage and assaulted by three men in Manesar after a dispute over a washing machine repair, said police.
Upon receiving the report, a police team was sent from the IMT Manesar Police Station who visited the hospital and recorded victim’s statement. (Representational image)
The incident took place on August 13 when Rajesh Kumar, a service engineer with a prominent electric company, visited the residence of Kulvinder Chauhan in Sector 7, IMT Manesar, to repair a washing machine, said police.
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According to the complaint filed by Kumar, the trouble began when he requested a warranty card or bill for the machine, which the residents failed to provide. Rajesh explained that he could not proceed with the repair without the necessary documentation. This led to an altercation, during which Chauhan and two other men allegedly assaulted Kumar, hitting him with fists and kicks, causing his nose to bleed.
The assailants then locked Kumar in a room and threatened to kill him if he didn’t repair the washing machine. The victim pleaded with them, and after some time, they reluctantly released him. Fearing for his life, Kumar later reported the incident to the police on Friday, said police.
The Gurugram Police were informed about the incident after Kumar was admitted to a private Hospital for treatment. Upon receiving the report, a police team was sent from the IMT Manesar Police Station who visited the hospital and recorded victim’s statement. A medical report confirmed that he had sustained blunt injuries to his face and head.
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Based on the complaint and the medical report, an FIR has been registered against Kulvinder Chauhan and the two unidentified men under sections 115, 351(2), and 127(2) of the BNS at the Sector 7 IMT Manesar Police Station.
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Based on the complaint and the medical report, an FIR has been registered against Kulvinder Chauhan and the two unidentified men under sections 115, 351(2), and 127(2) of the BNS at the Sector 7 IMT Manesar Police Station.
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The police have begun their investigation, and the suspects are expected to be apprehended soon. “We are treating this case with utmost seriousness. No one has the right to take the law into their own hands, and such actions will not be tolerated,” said Vipin Ahlawat, assistant commissioner of police.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
