Uttarakhand Police Make First Arrest in Jharkhand Gangster Vikram Sharma Murder Case
In a significant breakthrough, Uttarakhand Police have made the first arrest in connection with the high-profile murder of Jharkhand gangster Vikram Sharma in Dehradun. The accused, identified as Rajkumar Singh from Jamshedpur, was taken into custody and brought to Dehradun on transit remand on Sunday.
Details of the Arrest and Alleged Involvement
According to STF SSP Ajai Singh, Rajkumar Singh allegedly used his UPI ID to make a payment in Haridwar for the motorcycle that was utilized by three unidentified assailants to carry out the crime. The same motorcycle played a crucial role in the shooters' travel from Haridwar to Dehradun and their subsequent escape after the murder on February 13, which occurred inside a shopping complex on Rajpur Road.
The arrest was made by a joint team of Dehradun police and the Special Task Force (STF). Rajkumar Singh is set to be produced before a local court soon, and his name will be formally added to the case filed following the gangster's shooting.
Ongoing Investigation and Key Evidence
SSP Ajai Singh emphasized that investigators have gathered crucial evidence and are making all-out efforts to apprehend the shooters, who remain on the run. "They will be nabbed soon, after which the exact motive behind the murder will be established," he stated. Earlier reports from a police officer familiar with the probe indicated that the three shooters have been identified but are still at large.
Background on the Victim and Suspected Motives
Vikram Sharma, a 54-year-old gangster, was allegedly involved in over 50 criminal cases and was named in the 2007 murder of Ashish Dey, co-owner of Sreeleathers, a footwear brand headquartered in Kolkata. He operated a stone-crushing plant in Kashipur in Udham Singh Nagar district and had amassed properties worth over Rs 100 crore in Dehradun, where he had been living since 2021 after securing conditional bail from a Jharkhand court.
Senior officers suspect that Sharma's murder may have been orchestrated at the behest of his protege, Akhilesh Singh, another dreaded gangster, due to a dispute over sharing extortion money. Akhilesh Singh is currently lodged in Dumka Central Jail in Jharkhand.
Next Steps in the Case
The investigation continues to focus on:
- Tracking down the three shooters involved in the crime.
- Establishing the precise motive behind the murder.
- Gathering further evidence to strengthen the case against all accused parties.
This arrest marks a pivotal moment in the probe, as authorities work diligently to bring all perpetrators to justice and uncover the full details of this violent incident.
