A property dispute led to the murder of Dehradun-based gas agency owner Arjun Sharma on Wednesday, with police arresting five accused in connection with the case.
According to Kotwali Dalanwala police, on February 11 around 10:30 am, information was received that an unknown person had shot dead a man near the Tibetan market. The police immediately reached the spot and shifted the injured to Doon Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The deceased has been identified as Arjun Sharma, a resident of Indira Nagar, Basant Vihar Police Station area, Dehradun. He was the owner of GMS Road-based Amardeep Gas Agency, an official statement said.
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After the incident, senior officers inspected the crime scene and collected details.
Based on the complaint filed by the wife of the late Abhilash Sharma, suspicion has been raised against the mother of the late Beena Sharma along with Vinod Uniyal, Sangeeta Uniyal and Dr Ajay Khanna due to financial and property disputes. Accordingly, an FIR No. 29/2026 was registered under Section 103(1) of the IPC at Kotwali Dalanwala, the police said.
Considering the sensitivity of the case, SSP Dehradun has formed several teams and intensive checking has been started in the entire district. CCTV footage revealed the involvement of two people riding a scooter, police said.
During a night check on February 11 in Ladpur area, the suspect fired at the police and tried to escape into the forest. He was shot in the leg during the return fire. A .315 caliber pistol and one empty shell casing were recovered. In Laltappad area, another suspect tried to escape from police control and fired at policemen near the closed Birla factory. He was shot in the leg during the return fire. According to the police, one pistol, one live cartridge and an empty cartridge were recovered.
Damaging the accused, identified as Rajeev alias Raju and Pankaj Rana. Both have confessed to shooting Arjun Sharma near a Tibetan market. They were admitted to the Coronation Hospital. Separate cases of attempted murder and violation of the Arms Act were also registered against them.
During interrogation, both the accused revealed that they are real brothers, originally from Devi Khal, Kotdwar (Pauri Garhwal), currently residing at Chakuwala, Dehradun. Pankaj worked as a driver for Vinod Uniyal and Rajeev worked as an auto driver.
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Investigation revealed a property dispute between Arjun Sharma, his mother, Beena Sharma, Vinod Uniyal and Dr. Ajay Khanna. Dr Khanna is said to have entered a ₹14 crore property settled with Beena Sharma and has already paid ₹8 million crowns. However, Arjun Sharma obtained a judicial stay on the land, causing financial pressure and disputes, according to an official police statement.
As a result, Beena Sharma, Ajay Khanna and Vinod Uniyal allegedly planned to eliminate Arjun Sharma and hired the two accused ₹12 thousand of it ₹3 million was paid as security deposit, police said.
The accused followed Arjun Sharma’s routine and murdered him on February 11 near Tibetan Market. The investigation also revealed WhatsApp communication between accused Pankaj Rana and Vinod Uniyal before and after the incident. Witness statements also confirmed that Beena Sharma had earlier collected information about Arjun Sharma’s daily routine from his manager.
Based on the evidence, the police arrested three other accused: Vinod Uniyal, Dr Ajay Khanna and Beena Sharma. Both the main accused arrested in the encounter were produced before the court and remanded in police custody. The investigation is ongoing.