New surveillance footage has emerged of Virender Sharma, known as ‘Indian Dave,’ a notorious gangland enforcer and the primary suspect in the death of 19-year-old Zac Brettler. Brettler died in November 2019 after falling from the fifth floor of Sharma's luxury Thames-side apartment. The circumstances surrounding his death have drawn global attention, inspiring a best-selling book and an upcoming television adaptation.
Brettler, a middle-class public schoolboy from Maida Vale, had fabricated a persona as the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. He befriended Sharma and his associate, Akbar Shamji, who allegedly sought to exploit Brettler's supposed fortune. Shamji, described as a Cambridge-educated entrepreneur and son of a millionaire Tory donor, moved in elite London circles. Sharma invited Brettler to live in his apartment, from which Brettler ultimately fell.
Messages sent by Sharma in the hours before Brettler's death suggested he demanded £10 million from the teenager and expressed anger. The messages also alluded to cleaning blood and heating knives. During this time, Brettler searched online for information on treating skin burns. Bloodstains were later found in the apartment, Sharma sustained cuts to his face, and Brettler had a broken jaw, none of which appeared consistent with a fall.
These details fueled suspicion that Brettler may have jumped to escape harm rather than to commit suicide. The investigation into Brettler's death was complicated when Sharma was found dead in the same apartment in December 2020, having taken an overdose while under police scrutiny. His death ended any immediate hope of a definitive account or prosecution.
Glimpses of a Shadowy Figure
Until now, only one grainy image of Sharma had been publicly available. The newly revealed surveillance videos, reportedly obtained by a private detective investigating Sharma's business dealings, offer a more detailed, albeit still elusive, portrait of the gangster. Sharma specialized in debt collection through extreme violence, with a reputation for intimidating debtors.
In one video, Sharma and Shamji are seen meeting individuals they believed to be Russian investors but who were in fact undercover investigators. The pair were reportedly seeking £45 million for a London business venture. Sharma, who spoke little during the meeting, emphasized transparency and openness to questions. In another video, Sharma enters a meeting room with a menacing presence, while Shamji handles the details of the deal.
The private detective described Sharma as the "hard man" meant to support Shamji, characterized by his suspicious nature and intense stares. He acted as the quiet, dangerous counterpart to Shamji's polished demeanor. The detective noted that Sharma's role was to ensure trouble was handled, and he was highly suspicious of everyone.
A History of Violence
Sharma’s background includes a rise through London's criminal underworld. Born in Leicester to Indian immigrants, he moved to London in his early 20s, establishing himself as a drug dealer with a reputation for violence. He was implicated in the 2003 drive-by shooting of gangster Dave ‘Muscles’ King. Although he fled to France and returned to the UK, he was never arrested in connection with that incident. The two men convicted for King's murder had previously been arrested with King and Sharma for attempting to import heroin.
Brettler's parents, Matthew Brettler and Rachelle, have criticized the police investigation into their son's death and continue to seek answers. A relative of Sharma, speaking for the first time, stated that Sharma was primarily interested in Brettler's alleged wealth and became angry when he realized it was not as substantial as claimed, suggesting this led to a confrontation.
