A 50-year-old canteen owner was brutally shot dead in a shocking early morning incident in Gurgaon's Sector 37-D on Tuesday. The victim, identified as Sanjay Sharma, was discovered lying in a pool of blood outside his car, sending shockwaves through the local community and prompting a major police investigation.
Discovery of the Crime and Immediate Aftermath
The grim discovery was made at approximately 7:10 AM near Rama Park. Police stated that Sharma, a resident of Basai Enclave, Part 2, had left his home slightly earlier than usual at around 7:05 AM. He was anticipating early customers as students from a nearby private college in Sector 34, opposite which he ran his canteen, had an examination scheduled.
Minutes after his departure, his family received a distressing call informing them that he was found unconscious. He was swiftly transported to the Civil Hospital in Sector 10 by a police emergency response vehicle. Unfortunately, doctors at the hospital declared him dead on arrival.
The post-mortem examination later confirmed that Sanjay Sharma had succumbed to a bullet injury. Interestingly, investigators noted that no bullet shell was recovered from the crime scene, adding a layer of mystery to the case.
Police Investigation and Possible Motives
Following a formal complaint lodged by Sharma's son, Nikhil, who is a doctor, the Sector 10 police station registered a murder case against unidentified persons under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police spokesperson Sandeep Kumar confirmed the filing of the case.
Investigators are actively exploring a crucial lead provided by the family. Sharma's relatives revealed that a clash between two groups had occurred at his canteen just a few days before the murder. They further stated that some individuals had later approached Sharma, demanding the CCTV footage of that altercation, which he refused to provide.
"Police are examining whether the earlier dispute is linked to the murder," an officer involved in the probe stated. A senior police officer added that since Sharma's Haryana-registered car (HR26FQ0273) showed no bloodstains inside and no visible damage, it appeared the attack occurred outside the vehicle.
A Planned Attack and NSG Connection
A relative of the deceased strongly asserted that this was a premeditated killing. Speaking to the media, the relative claimed, "He was also chased by some people on December 25, following which he informed the police. Someone did a recce. He left home at around 7.05am and then someone informed the police after 10 minutes about the body. He was taken out of the car and attacked."
The crime scene attracted a large crowd of onlookers and grieving relatives. Forensic teams, including the crime unit, dog squad, and fingerprint experts, were deployed to scour the area for evidence, which was cordoned off by the police.
An unusual detail emerged regarding the victim's car, which bore stickers of a National Security Guard (NSG) commando and a doctor. The family informed the police that Sharma's brother is employed with the NSG. However, a police officer clarified that such stickers are not permitted on private vehicles, noting that NSG personnel are required to maintain confidentiality about their identity.
The Gurgaon police have launched a multi-team investigation to unravel the motive behind this cold-blooded murder and apprehend the culprits.
