Indore: A 35-year-old fruit vendor was shot dead in his sleep early Saturday morning in Khandwa district. The victim, Amin Khan, was at his home with his ex-wife and son when the attack occurred at around 4 am.Pandhana police station in-charge Dilip Dewra said that it was suspected that the attacker entered the house and shot Amin, causing fatal injuries near his ear and head. His family members woke up to what they believed were firecracker-like sounds and found Amin bleeding. He was rushed to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.The police found that several neighbouring houses were locked from outside, seemingly to prevent anyone from stepping out during the gunfire.

Residents later reported being woken up by loud noises but were unable to come out of their houses until a passerby helped break the locks.Senior police officials and forensic experts arrived at the scene shortly after receiving information. Officials collected bullet casings and other evidence but have not been able to find the weapon yet.Police sources said that there was a suspicion about Amin's ex-wife, Shahnaz's role in the incident.

Authorities noted that there were no signs of a forced entry, and the main door appeared untouched, suggesting the attacker may have been let in by someone from inside.Amin and Shahnaz were divorced around eight months ago due to personal disputes. Shahnaz had then married another man, Syed Akhtar Ali, from Chopra in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district. That relationship, however, ended within a few months. Citing concern for her children, Shahnaz returned to Amin's home roughly two months ago following a legal separation from Syed. Police are currently interrogating Shahnaz at Pandhana police station.Amin was well-known in his village market as a fruit seller and was a father to four children.