Gun misfires, misses builder

On Monday evening, Shah had a close shave when a loaded firearm, carried by a miscreant misfired. The shooter, suspected to have been a foot soldier of underworld kingpin Kumar Pillai, could have been deputed to open fire at Shah, the police said.

Real estate developer Ramesh Shah should be thankful for a second chance he got to live.

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On Monday evening, Shah had a close shave when a loaded firearm, carried by a miscreant misfired. The shooter, suspected to have been a foot soldier of underworld kingpin Kumar Pillai, could have been deputed to open fire at Shah, the police said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police K.F. Patil of the Vikhroli division told Hindustan Times on Monday that the incident took place around 5.10 pm.

Shah was seated in his office, Laxmi Corporation, on the ground floor of Sai Shraddha building in Vikhroli (E). The building is close to Vikhroli railway station.

Shah’s partner, Jayantibhai Shah, and son Ritesh were present in the office.

A man believed to be between 35 and 40 years of age walked into the office, whipped out a firearm. As he tried to sidle up close to Shah, the bullet misfired and the bullet hit the glass panes.

The man, identified as Lafada Shetty, panicked and fled even as Shah and others chased him a distance.

Sources in the Vikhroli police said Shah had been receiving calls from Pillai who was demanding Rs 50 lakh as protection money from him. However, he refused to give in to the demands. It is suspected that the assailant was sent by Pillai to remind Shah of the money. No arrests have been made.