DEHRADUN . 22 FEB 2026
Police in Dehradun have solved the Digambar Dhiman murder case, revealing a chilling story of betrayal and brutality. According to investigators, the killing was driven by a financial dispute involving ₹2.5 lakh, which the victim had allegedly borrowed from his friends.
Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Singh Dobal said Digambar had been under pressure to repay the money. On February 9, the accused allegedly lured him to a house in the Race Course area, where they locked him inside and brutally assaulted him. He was repeatedly attacked with an iron rod, and a fatal blow to the head led to his death on the spot. After the killing, the accused arranged a taxi to dispose of the body. They transported it to the Chidiyapur forest area and buried it near a canal under sand. Police had earlier arrested taxi driver Rajnandan, whose confession led to the recovery of the body. The case began as a missing person complaint. On February 11, the victim’s father Santaram Dhiman filed a report at Basant Vihar police station, suspecting his son’s friends. During the probe, police found clues about a late-night taxi journey, leading to the detention of the driver and eventual breakthrough. The case was subsequently converted from a missing complaint into a murder investigation. FIRs were registered against Hemant Semwal, Adil, and Vaibhav Bhatt alias Sanju, and the probe was later transferred to Nehru Colony police station. Police arrested the three main accused near ISBT on the Haridwar bypass road. Based on their disclosure, officers recovered the murder weapons — a steel rod and hammer — along with the victim’s shoes from beneath a bridge near Nepali Farm.
During interrogation, the accused admitted they had consumed alcohol with Digambar before the argument escalated over money. In a fit of rage, they attacked him with rods, a hammer, and tools, causing fatal injuries and heavy blood loss. Police said the main accused later called an acquaintance, the taxi driver, to help dispose of the body. Initially reluctant, he allegedly agreed after being offered ₹15,000. The group stuffed the body into the car trunk and drove towards Haridwar, dumping evidence along the way before burying the corpse in the forest.
Investigators also revealed that the three main accused have prior criminal records. Hemant Semwal has cases registered at Kotwali and Patel Nagar, including charges of rioting and attempted murder. Adil has similar cases registered against him. Vaibhav Bhatt alias Sanju has a case under the NDPS Act.
SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal announced a cash reward of ₹2,500 for the team that cracked the case. The operation involved coordinated efforts by multiple police stations and the Special Operations Group (SOG). The brutal murder has shocked the city, highlighting how a financial dispute among friends spiraled into a cold-blooded killing. Police said further investigation is ongoing, and more action may follow if additional links emerge.
