Chandigarh: Three years after businessman Vinod Bharara was shot dead in Panipat, Haryana, a WhatsApp message and the astute observation of a police officer have unveiled a sinister murder plot allegedly orchestrated by the victim’s wife.
Vinod Bharara was killed at his residence on December 15, 2021. Dev Sunar, a truck driver who had previously been involved in an accident that left Vinod seriously injured, was arrested for the murder. Sunar claimed that he killed Vinod because he refused an out-of-court settlement regarding the accident.
With the shooter in prison and the case growing cold, a new lead emerged when district police chief and IPS officer Ajit Singh Shekhawat received a WhatsApp message. The message, sent by Vinod’s brother Pramod from Australia, urged the officer to re-examine the case, suggesting that someone close to Vinod had orchestrated the murder. Upon revisiting the case files, Shekhawat sensed inconsistencies.
“When I reviewed the case, I questioned why someone would commit murder over a refusal to settle an accident case. Rash driving penalties are not severe, and accused individuals often receive bail, but the consequences of murder are far more severe,” Shekhawat explained.
Shekhawat enlisted Deepak Kumar of Haryana police’s Criminal Investigation Agency to re-investigate the case. The renewed probe revealed a connection between Dev Sunar and Sumit, a gym trainer acquainted with Vinod’s wife, Nidhi. Suspicions grew, and further questioning of the suspects filled in crucial gaps.
The investigation revealed that Nidhi Bharara, mother of Vinod’s daughter, had met Sumit at her gym, sparking an affair. Vinod eventually discovered the relationship, leading to frequent domestic disputes and confrontations with Sumit. As tensions escalated, Nidhi and Sumit allegedly conspired to murder Vinod.
Sumit confessed that they enlisted Dev Sunar for the hit, offering him ₹ 10 lakh. On January 5, 2021, Sunar rammed a pick-up van into Vinod’s car, causing severe injuries, but Vinod survived. Frustrated by this failure, they devised a second plan. Sunar visited Vinod’s home, demanding settlement of the accident case. When Vinod refused, Sunar shot him dead.
The investigation also uncovered that, days after Vinod’s murder, Nidhi and Sumit vacationed in Manali. Nidhi sent her children to stay with their uncle in Australia, further distancing herself from the crime.
Connecting the dots, police detained Nidhi and Sumit. Confronted with the evidence, they confessed to the murder. It was also revealed that Nidhi had been covering Sunar’s legal and living expenses using the insurance payout from Vinod’s death. Additionally, she retracted her statement as the prime witness, intending to weaken the case against Sunar.
With their roles in the murder confirmed, Nidhi and Sumit were arrested and brought to court. They are currently in jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.