Paramjeet Dhankhar murder: Faridabad neighbour held over parking row

Police in Faridabad, near Delhi, have arrested a neighbour over the killing of Paramjeet Dhankhar, a former Tech Mahindra executive who was shot outside his home in Sector 21C on the night of Friday, 6 November, Dhanteras, as Diwali week began. CCTV footage of the shooting, aired by Aaj Tak this week, made the case one of the most searched stories in India.

What police say happened

According to police, quoted by The Statesman, the two families had argued several times over car parking and a pet dog. On Friday night another row broke out over parking. Police say the neighbour then called Dhankhar outside his house and fired repeatedly at him with his licensed pistol. Reports say 15 to 16 rounds were fired and eight or nine hit him. He died of his injuries.

The accused, named as Sharma (The Statesman gives his first name as Mohan; Aaj Tak calls him Monu), was arrested in Ballabgarh, another part of Faridabad. Police said they would seek his remand for questioning. The FIR was registered at Surajkund police station on a complaint by Dhankhar’s son, Shaurya.

The CCTV footage

Aaj Tak’s report, based on the CCTV, says the shooter wished Dhankhar “Happy Diwali” before opening fire, and quoted a chilling line he allegedly said to the family. The footage has been widely shared in India, alongside a Jagran report that the accused had earlier been beaten up by young men from a gym, blamed Dhankhar’s side for it, and had held a grudge since.

These are police and media accounts; the accused has not yet given his side in court.

Why it struck a nerve

Parking fights are an everyday thing in crowded cities on both sides of the border, from Faridabad to Lahore and Karachi, and most end in shouting. This one ended with a licensed gun and a father shot dead in front of his own house during a festival week.

The next step is the remand hearing and the police charge sheet.