Yet another murder
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 17 Feb: In yet another shocking incident that has sent ripples In Dehradun, a youth is reported to have been murdered by his own friends with a baseball bat following a drunken altercation in the Vasant Vihar area. The victim’s family had been searching for him since 9 February and had lodged a missing complaint before the crime came to light.
According to the police investigations, the deceased has been identified as Digambar Dhiman. He was facing a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at Vasant Vihar police station in 2021. Having secured bail, he was scheduled to appear before a Dehradun court on 9 February. On that day, he accompanied his father to court and signed the attendance register. However, for some reasons the hearing in the case was not held. After the court visit, Digambar reportedly asked his father to return home, assuring him that he would follow later. He subsequently informed his father over the phone that he was stepping out with friends.
When he failed to return home by evening, his family grew concerned and initiated a search. Despite sustained efforts, his whereabouts remained unknown. On 11 February, his father lodged a missing report at Dehradun Nagar Kotwali. Acting upon technical inputs, including mobile location tracking and specific suspicions, police detained three of Digambar’s friends for questioning. During sustained interrogation, the three allegedly confessed to murdering Digambar Dhiman and disposing of his body.
The Police stated that after leaving the court premises, Digambar went to meet his friends in the Race Course area. The group allegedly consumed alcohol together, during which an argument broke out and soon escalated into a violent confrontation. In the course of the brawl, the three accused allegedly attacked Digambar with a baseball bat.
Vasant Vihar police station in-charge Ashok Rathore stated that a severe blow was delivered to Digambar’s head, resulting in his death on the spot.
Sources further revealed that, following the murder, the accused panicked and transported the body in a taxi to Haridwar, where they allegedly disposed of it before fleeing the scene. The police are currently engaged in efforts to recover the body and have indicated that a detailed disclosure in the case is expected shortly.
The incident has once again brought into sharp focus concerns regarding the law & order situation in Dehradun.
