After the daring kidnapping of Jamshedpur-based young industrialist Kairav Gandhi from Kanderbera on NH-33 on January 13, yet another leading Jamshedpur-based hotelier and businessman, 33-year-old Nikhar Sablok, was shot dead at 10th Milestone resort on NH-33 in the Asanboni-Kanderbera area under the Chandil police station (PS) in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district on Monday, people close to the development said.
Eight empty shells have been recovered from the crime scene. Apart from the Chandil police, police teams led by the OCs of Azadnagar, MGM PS and Ulidih PS in Jamshedpur have reached the spot of crime. “The three assailants came on motorcycles and targeted Nikhar Sablok in a planned manner. He was hit by four bullets – two on the head and two on other parts of the body. The assailants then fled on their motorcycles. The police investigation is focusing on business rivalry, personal enmity, or extortion demands from any organised crime syndicates.
“The incident of firing by motorcycle-borne unknown assailants on Jamshedpur businessman Nikhar Sablok occurred between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM at the 10th Milestone resort on NH-33 in Kanderbera area under the Chandil PS on Monday afternoon.
The entire area has been sealed, and CCTV camera footage from the 10th Milestone resort entry, exit, and inside, along with footage from other hotels and resorts, is being examined,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity. “Few persons are believed to have been detained and being interrogated but the assailants could not be identified as of now,” another police officer said. Further investigation is ongoing, and all possible angles and leads are being explored and examined,” Sheo Prakash Kumar, Chandil sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), told HT on Monday.
Nikhar Sablok lived in posh Vijaya Heritage Residential Complex under the Kadma PS area in Jamshedpur. He had many businesses, including hotels. Shocked and grieving family members also rushed to the TMH amid anger among the business fraternity and common citizens alike.
