The brutal killing of Shivkumar Sharma, a 45-year-old IT professional allegedly by members of the Tablighi Jamaat has sparked massive outrage. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has claimed that he was murdered as he proudly exhibited his Hindu identity. Sharma was beaten to death with a helmet by two bike-borne men in an altercation on February 2 near Utsav Chowk, Kharghar. Initially reported as a road rage incident, the case has now taken a communal turn, with accusations that Sharma was targeted because of his religious symbols.
According to the VHP, Sharma had a Bhagwan Shankar tattoo on his hand, a Rudraksha mala around his neck, and his motorcycle displayed “Jai Mata Di”—which they claim led to his brutal killing allegedly by Tablighi Jamaat members returning from an Ijtema in Kharghar which was on the same day. Further allegations suggest that the accused were influenced by the speech of Maulana Saad, a controversial leader of the Tablighi Jamaat, whose radical sermons have been linked to extremist ideologies in the past.
A 45-year-old IT professional Shivkumar Sharma, was beaten to death with a helmet in an alleged road-rage on Feb 2nd by members of the Tablighi Jamaat who were returning from an Ijtema in Maharashtra's Kharghar.
BJP leaders including Nitesh Rane and Kirti raise issue of illegal… pic.twitter.com/AtFJmsMNjp
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) February 9, 2025
Sharma, a project manager with an IT firm, was returning home from work when the attack took place on a stretch between Belpada and Utsav Chowk.
According to police reports, the incident began as a case of road rage, when two men intercepted Sharma and accused him of overtaking recklessly. A heated argument ensued, leading to one of the men holding Sharma while the other repeatedly smashed his head with a helmet.
A passerby managed to record a video of the attack, showing the unrelenting brutality before the attackers sped away from the scene. Despite suffering grave internal injuries, Sharma somehow made his way to the Kharghar police station to file a complaint. However, within minutes, he collapsed at the station, and was rushed to Medicover Hospital, where doctors declared him dead, citing internal head injuries due to the assault as the cause.
While Kharghar police have registered a case of murder, the accused remain unidentified and at large. Authorities are scanning CCTV footage from the crime scene and nearby roads in an attempt to trace the attackers. However, the video recorded by a passerby does not clearly capture their bike’s registration number, making identification difficult.
Senior Inspector Deepak Surve of Kharghar police station confirmed that the case has been registered under murder, criminal intimidation, and common intention under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, but he did not comment on the alleged religious motive behind the attack.
BJP leader Nitesh Rane has taken the matter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, urging him to identify and investigate illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants who might have been involved in the attack. Rane has also written a letter calling for a complete ban on the Tablighi Jamaat in Maharashtra, stating that its radical elements pose a threat to communal harmony.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on February 9, met the family of Shiv Kumar Sharma, who was brutally murdered by two unidentified two-wheeler riders in Navi Mumbai. Expressing grief over the incident, Somaiya strongly condemned the killing and questioned the law and order situation.
Met 4 Sisters of #ShivkumarSharma who was Killed at Kharghar NaviMumbai by Muslim Fenatic Activist
Police hopeful to arrest Killers soon
खारघर नवी मुंबई येथे मुस्लिम धर्मांध कार्यकर्त्यांकडून हत्या करण्यात आलेल्या शिवकुमार शर्माच्या 4 बहिणींना भेटलो.
मारेकऱ्यांना लवकरच अटक करणार pic.twitter.com/XFOVD9sW9Y— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) February 9, 2025
“Is this Bangladesh? Hindus are brutally murdered in Bangladesh,” Somaiya remarked while speaking to the media. He urged the police to take immediate action and confirmed that senior police officials have assured him that the accused will be arrested within two days.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: BJP leader Kirit Somaiya met with the family of a 45-year-old man who was attacked and killed by two unidentified two-wheeler riders in a road rage incident in Navi Mumbai
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya says, "Is this Bangladesh? Hindus are brutally killed in… pic.twitter.com/MhAFVH2KH0
— IANS (@ians_india) February 9, 2025
Somaiya further stated that he has informed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the matter. “The Chief Minister has assured that whoever is behind this incident will not be spared,” he added. Meanwhile, police have assured the victim’s family that efforts are underway to apprehend the culprits at the earliest.
Social media has erupted with calls for #JusticeForShivkumarSharma, with netizens demanding swift arrests and harsh punishment for the perpetrators. The VHP has announced protests across Maharashtra, urging the government to take strict action against the accused and investigate the Tablighi Jamaat’s role in radicalising its followers.
