Although this article is based on canonical information, the actual name of this subject is pure conjecture.
Please see the reasons for this title in the "Behind the scenes" section below, and/or the relevant discussion on the talk page.
A Thuggee assassin was hiding in Indiana Jones's suite at the Pankot Palace in 1935
This assassin was presumably sent by Chattar Lal to eliminate Indiana Jones as the latter was getting too close to the Thuggee cult's plans. Hiding in front of a painting, the assassin waited until Indy's back was to him and then made his move by attempting to strangle Indy with a wire. Initially startled, Indy tried to fight the man off but was at first unsuccessful.
Eventually, Indy knocked the man off and tried to return the favor by strangling him with his whip. The assassin broke free and attempted to escape but was restrained further by Indy's whip wrapped around his neck. While trying to free himself, the assassin accidentally threw Indy's end of the whip onto a ceiling fan which reeled the flailing man upward and suffocated him to death.
Behind the scenes
According to the article "50 Fascinating 'Facts' About Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" in Indiana Jones: The Official Magazine 3, Pat Roach played the Thuggee assassin, as well as the the gong striker in the Club Obi Wan. However, The Complete Making of Indiana Jones identifies the gong striker as having been played by stuntman Bill Reed (who is listed in the film's credits), and the Thuggee assassin has been held identified in online discussion as wrestler Don Stansauk, aka Hard Boiled Haggarty, though this has not been confirmed.