‘Happy Diwali’: Accused’s Chilling Remark After Shooting Ex-Tech Mahindra Executive Over Parking Row

CCTV footage has emerged showing the moments leading up to the murder of former Tech Mahindra senior vice-president Paramjit Dhankhar, who was shot dead following a parking dispute in Faridabad. The incident took place on November 6 in Sector 21C, where the 45-year-old was allegedly called out of his apartment by his neighbour before being shot multiple times.

The accused, identified as Monu Sharma, allegedly used a parking-related pretext to bring Dhankhar downstairs before opening fire. The footage also captures the exchange between the two men and the accused's remarks before he fled.

The video shows Sharma calling Dhankhar out of his first-floor flat, apparently to discuss the parking dispute. The confrontation soon escalated, with the accused allegedly firing 15-16 rounds at the former IT executive.

The footage also captures Dhankhar reaching the building's main gate, where he appears to confront Sharma again during the final moments of the attack. Before leaving the scene, Sharma is allegedly heard abusing Dhankhar and saying, “Happy Diwali.” The accused lived in the same residential building.

Faridabad Crime Branch personnel arrested Sharma on Saturday after he allegedly fled with his family following the shooting. According to an India Today report, police said Sharma used his licensed pistol to fire 15-16 rounds, leaving Dhankhar with eight to nine bullet injuries.

The post-mortem examination subsequently confirmed nine bullet wounds. An investigating officer said the weapon was a licensed .45 ACP pistol fitted with an extended magazine. The accused allegedly fired at Dhankhar and his son during the confrontation.

Police investigations have pointed to an earlier confrontation between the two families as a possible trigger for the murder. According to investigators, Dhankhar and his friends allegedly abused Sharma, leaving him humiliated.

The hostility reportedly intensified after Dhankhar's family lodged a police complaint against Sharma a few days before the incident. A senior police officer said the confrontation involving Dhankhar and his friends after his return to India further aggravated the dispute.

Explaining the alleged motive, the officer said, “During interrogation, Sharma revealed that he could not bear the insult and decided to shoot Dhankar. The accused had nursed a grudge against the victim after being humiliated a day before the murder.

He intentionally called him downstairs with the intention of killing him.” Dhankhar, originally from Hisar, was based in Singapore and had returned to Faridabad on November 5 to attend his nephew's wedding scheduled for November 24.

He was a senior vice-president at Singapore-based FPT Software Company Ltd and had previously served as the regional business head of Tech Mahindra's Asia-Pacific operations. The 45-year-old collapsed on the road outside his residence in Sector 21C after the shooting.

He is survived by his wife, son, daughter and parents. Police said Sharma deliberately called Dhankhar downstairs under the pretext of resolving the parking issue, allegedly intending to carry out the attack. Dhankhar, originally from Hisar and based in Singapore, had returned to Faridabad on November 5.

He was there to attend his nephew's wedding, scheduled for November 24. Bharathi SP is a journalist and Associate Producer at ABP Live English, chasing breaking news and digging up untold stories, mostly from South India.

With over 7 years of experience in the news industry, she's worked across both print and digital platforms, wearing many hats: sub-editor, senior reporter, and, now, producer. An alumna of ACJ and IGNOU, Bharathi focuses on politics, inclusive development and stories that connect the states with the nation.

She has a soft spot for long-form narratives, sharp angles and all things political.