Steel shop manager shot dead in Khetwadi

The 35-year-old manager of a steel shop was shot dead at his office in Khetwadi in south Mumbai on Wednesday. His cousin, who was with him at the time was shot at too and is seriously injured.

The 35-year-old manager of a steel shop was shot dead at his office in Khetwadi in south Mumbai on Wednesday. His cousin, who was with him at the time was shot at too and is seriously injured.

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Lalchand Bishnoi, the manager of Bharat Steel Yard, was declared dead on arrival at the Harkisondas Hospital. His cousin Ratnaram Bishnoi, 40, is undergoing treatment there.

The police said that the incident took place at around 6.30pm, in the shop located on 7th Lane, Khetwadi. One of the two owners of the shop was sitting on the mezzanine floor. The other had gone to Ahmedabad, the police said. Lalchand and Ratnaram were on the ground floor of the shop.

In the evening, two unknown persons entered the shop, police said. When Lalchand asked them what they wanted, one of them took a step forward, but Lalchand pushed him away. The man then took out a country-made revolver and shot two rounds at him. Ratnaram tried to raise an alarm and was shot at. The men then fled after tossing the revolver nearby. The owner escaped unhurt as the shooters apparently did not see him.

The sound of gunshots drew people to the spot, and they took the duo to the hospital. Two of the four bullets had pierced Lalchand’s abdomen.

The police have seized the country-made revolver and four empty rounds from the spot. The motive behind the attack is unknown. However, the police are probing the involvement of the Pandav Putra gang, which operates in the area. The police are also probing if the attack has any connection to the hectic redevelopment activity in the area. Police further said there were eight CCTV cameras installed in the shop. However, all had been sent for repairs on Wednesday.

The VP Road police have registered a case of murder and attempted murder against the two unknown persons. The duo has also been booked under relevant sections of the Arms Act.