New Delhi: A day after a businessman was shot dead during a parking dispute in east Delhi’s Preet Vihar, police have made a second arrest and also apprehended the stepson of the main accused, a property dealer.The accused has been identified as Sunil Sharma (41), a property dealer and resident of Noida. The investigation revealed that he was an associate of the main accused, Gaurav Sharma, who allegedly shot dead Pankaj Nayyar (34) on Monday. “Sunil was present during the scuffle and was arrested in Noida, where he was hiding,” police said.DCP (east) Rajeev Kumar said Gaurav Sharma’s stepson, Sidharth (24), who was preparing for competitive exams, was also apprehended from a hotel in Shahdara. “He was also involved in the scuffle,” the DCP said. Searches are on for at least two more people linked to the case.The investigation revealed that the pistol used in the crime was unlicensed. Gaurav, who was earlier arrested, told police that the weapon belonged to his brother and that he had started keeping it in 2021. Police are still searching for the weapon of offence, which he allegedly discarded while fleeing the scene.The inquiry also found that Gaurav was arrested in Ahmedabad in 2021 in connection with a GST fraud case and remained in jail for two months. He was accused of forging tax documents.During interrogation, he claimed he had been living in Preet Vihar for the past six months as his house in Shakurpur was under renovation, and that he was in the garment business.Police said the argument started between brothers Pankaj and Paras Nayyar (43) and their neighbour, Gaurav, over the parking of his Fortuner and BMW. During the confrontation, Gaurav allegedly fired at Pankaj, hitting him in the chest. Paras was also assaulted with the butt of the pistol.“I felt unsafe being alone at home and called my brother from Noida so someone would be with me. I even tried to resolve the issue by speaking to them and making them speak to Pankaj but they kept threatening us. When Pankaj came to talk, Gaurav and two others attacked him, shot him, and assaulted me,” he told TOI. The accused then fled. Residents said tensions had persisted for months over Gaurav’s parking of his car.A case was registered at Preet Vihar police station under sections 103 (murder), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 3(5) (common intention) of BNS, along with sections 25 and 27 of Arms Act.
