In Dehradun, a retired Army brigadier, aged 70, tragically lost his life due to a stray bullet while taking his morning walk. The incident occurred following a late-night altercation between two groups over DJ music at a nightclub, which escalated into violence on the streets.
The retired Brigadier VK Joshi was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between the two groups traveling in separate vehicles, as he was walking near a cooperative bank around 6:30 am. Witnesses reported that the clash originated from an earlier dispute inside the nightclub.
CCTV footage captured the groups chasing each other in vehicles and exchanging gunfire. Amidst the chaos, Brigadier Joshi was fatally shot. The vehicles involved fled the scene, but one of them, a Toyota Fortuner, later crashed near a primary school. Despite the crash, the altercation between the men continued.
The violence was not deemed road rage but rather connected to a disagreement over DJ music at the “Gen Z Club,” which was operating beyond permitted hours. The state excise department issued a notice to the nightclub for violating the prescribed time limit.
The incident raised concerns about the nightclub’s continuous operation during the night, highlighting potential breaches in regulations and enforcement. Initial investigations also identified issues with entry-exit management and safety protocols at the club, including fire safety clearance and excise licensing procedures.
The authorities are currently searching for a Scorpio vehicle and the assailant involved in the clash, with police conducting extensive search operations and setting up checkpoints. The Fortuner leading the chase had multiple traffic violation tickets, and its insurance was found to be expired during the initial probe.
Brigadier Joshi is survived by his wife, daughter, and son who reside outside Dehradun. His body underwent a post-mortem examination, and further investigations are ongoing.