A stray bullet killed a 70-year-old retired Army brigadier while out on his morning walk in Dehradun on Monday, after a late-night dispute between two groups over DJ music at a nightclub spilled onto the streets and escalated into violence.
Retired Brigadier VK Joshi was out for a morning walk around 6:30 am near a cooperative bank when he was hit by a bullet during a gunfight between two groups travelling in two vehicles. Eyewitnesses said the clash stemmed from an altercation inside a nightclub earlier in the night.
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The groups chased each other in vehicles, as seen in CCTV footage, before opening indiscriminate fire. Amid the chaos, one of the bullets hit Brigadier Joshi, killing him on the spot. Both vehicles fled the scene, but a Toyota Fortuner later crashed near a primary school. The men, however, continued fighting even after the Fortuner crashed.
According to witnesses, the violence was not road rage but linked to a dispute over DJ music inside the “Gen Z Club,” which was operating till the early hours, well beyond the permitted timings. The state excise department has issued a notice to the nightclub, stating that the bar was operating beyond the prescribed time limit.
The crashed Toyota Fortuner in Dehradun. (Photo: India Today)
The incident raised serious questions over how the nightclub continued functioning through the night, with possible violations and lapses in enforcement.
Preliminary findings also flagged concerns over entry-exit management and safety compliance at the club, including how it obtained fire safety clearance and an excise licence.
Meanwhile, a Scorpio involved in the clash and the shooter are on the run. Police have launched a manhunt, setting up checkpoints and conducting search operations across multiple areas.
Brigadier Joshi is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son living outside Dehradun. His body was sent for a post-mortem examination and further investigation is underway.
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Published By:
Prateek Chakraborty
Published On:
Mar 30, 2026 16:23 IST
