FARIDABAD: “I will not leave you alive by tonight,” Monu Sharma allegedly told his neighbour Paramjeet Dhankhar at a police post, where the latter had gone to lodge a complaint over a parking dispute.Hours later, Sharma allegedly made good on the threat, opening fire on Dhankhar with his licensed pistol in Faridabad’s Sector 21C on Friday night. He fired around 15 rounds, nine of which hit Dhankhar, killing him on the spot, according to police officials.The 45-year-old victim had returned to India just a day earlier to celebrate Diwali and attend his nephew’s wedding. Police have arrested Sharma, the main accused in the case.
A dispute over a broken parking gate
The shooting followed a long-running dispute between the neighbours, with the latest confrontation reportedly involving a broken gate at their parking area.According to police sources quoted by news agency PTI, Dhankhar’s son, Shaurya, had confronted Sharma over the damage and asked him to get the gate repaired.Sharma allegedly responded: “I don’t talk to pups; send your father.”Dhankhar, who lived in Singapore, had returned to India on Thursday. After learning about the exchange between his son and Sharma, he went to Ankhir police chowki to lodge a complaint against his neighbour, sources said, as quoted by PTI.When police summoned Sharma to the post, he allegedly threatened Dhankhar in front of officials, saying he would kill him that very night.Despite the threat, the two sides were allegedly helped to reach a compromise, with officials apparently considering Sharma’s warning hollow, according to sources.
‘Have you ever seen what a widow looks like?’
On Friday night, Sharma allegedly called Dhankhar to the parking lot, ostensibly to talk.Instead, he allegedly threatened him again, saying, “Have you ever seen what a widow looks like? You have such great faith in God; let me send you straight to him.”He then allegedly opened fire, targeting both Dhankhar and his son, Shaurya, police officials said. Dhankhar was hit by nine bullets and died at the spot. His son survived the attack.Sharma allegedly fled with his family after the shooting, officials said. Police reached the spot after receiving information from Shaurya and recovered cartridge shells from the scene.
Former Tech Mahindra executive among victims
Dhankhar was a senior vice-president at Singapore-based FPT Software Company Ltd and had previously served as the regional business head of Tech Mahindra’s Asia-Pacific operations.He had returned home to attend his nephew’s wedding and celebrate Diwali with his family.Dhankhar’s friends said the police could have prevented the killing had they taken Sharma into custody after the initial threat.
Residents allegedly lived in fear of accused
Police sources told PTI, Sharma owned a plot near house number 641, where he would frequently create a disturbance at night with his friends.“He also owned several luxury cars, which he would drive at high speeds and with loud, revving engines through the sector’s streets,” a source said.The accused allegedly played loud music late into the night and frequently fired shots into the air, sources said, as quoted by PTI.Residents were deeply troubled by his behaviour but felt unable to speak up, according to sources. They also said they did not know what Sharma did for a living.About a year ago, Sharma had allegedly faced accusations of GST evasion, following which the GST department conducted a raid at his premises, sources said.Investigators also found that Sharma allegedly possessed two licensed pistols. By the time of the shooting, he had three pistols in his possession, according to sources.
Five family members named in FIR
Police have registered a case based on a complaint filed by Dhankhar’s son, Shaurya.The FIR names Sharma alias Mohan, his wife Divya, son Mayank, daughter Naina and brother Hetram.“Based on the complaint of Paramjeet’s son Shaurya, a case has been registered against Monu Sharma alias Mohan, his wife Divya, son Mayank, daughter Naina, and brother Hetram. Paramjeet’s body has been sent to the civil hospital for a post-mortem. We have arrested the main accused, Monu Sharma, and are questioning him,” Surajkund SHO Prahlad Singh said.Police are questioning Sharma as part of the investigation.(With inputs from PTI)