A 45-year-old property dealer and stone crusher businessman, Vikram Sharma, was shot dead on Friday morning in Dehradun, just 500 metres from the residence of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). The attack took place near a local movie theatre as Sharma was leaving a gym, highlighting growing security concerns in the city.

According to police, Sharma was fired upon by unidentified assailants who shot him three times, killing him instantly. Despite reportedly carrying a pistol, Sharma was unable to defend himself. The city was immediately placed under tight security, with barricades set up and police teams deployed to track the attackers.

Dehradun Superintendent of Police (City) Pramod Kumar confirmed that Sharma ran a stone-crushing business and had significant connections in Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh. Senior officers, including IG Garhwal Rajeev Swaroop and SSP Ajay Singh, visited the crime scene to oversee the investigation.

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Police records reveal that Sharma had over 50 cases registered against him across various states, including more than 20 murder cases. Preliminary inquiries suggest the killing may be linked to gang rivalries, particularly involving criminal networks in Jharkhand.

Sharma had reportedly called a close friend, Saurabh Singh, to meet near the gym shortly before the attack. By the time Singh arrived, Sharma had already been fatally shot. His family, originally from Kashipur, resides in Dehradun.

This incident marks the second killing in 48 hours and the third murder in 11 days in the area, raising concerns about rising criminal activity and the effectiveness of local law enforcement in protecting citizens. Police continue to investigate all angles to apprehend the attackers.

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