Senior crime journalist shot dead in Mumbai

Mumbai, June 11 (IANS) Senior crime journalist of Mumbai-based eveninger Mid Day, Jyotindra Dey was shot dead by unidentified assailants in northwest part of this megapolis Saturday afternoon, police said.

Quoting eyewitnesses, police said Dey received a phone call while riding his motorcycle near Powai around 3 p.m. When he slowed down and took the call four assailants came on two motorcycles and shot at him from the rear at close range.

Dey fell off the bike and the attackers sped off. Some passersby rushed him to the nearby Hiranadani Hospital where he was declared dead on admission.

Additional Commissioner of Police Vishwas Nagre-Patil said Dey suffered nine bullet injuries.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy and his law and order counterpart Rajneesh Sheth rushed to the spot and personally supervised the initial investigations.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik briefed Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Home Minister R.R. Patil on the attack on the well-known journalist.

'This appears to be a professionally executed killing and we do not rule out the possibility of underworld mafia groups involved in it,' Patnaik told reporters later.

Expressing shock over the broad daylight killing, Chavan assured a thorough probe into the incident.

'The state will not tolerate attack on any journalist. We are taking a review meeting tomorrow (Sunday),' said Chavan.

'We are trying to find out if there was any complaint recorded with regard to threat to his life. Dey had, however, not sought any police protection,' he added.

Saying that he shared the anger of the journalist community, Chavan said: 'I don't want to jump to any conclusion at this moment, but we will put all our might in investigating this case and action will be taken against the culprit.'

Condemning the murder, Home Minister R.R. Patil said the Crime Branch will investigate the killing.

Dey, who was editor, special investigation, of Mid Day, started his career with the Afternoon newspaper and later worked with Mid Day, the Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and finally returned to Mid Day.

He had relentlessly pursued stories against the notorious oil mafia and other organised crime syndicates.

Considered to be one of the best writers on Mumbai's underworld, Dey had been reporting on crime for the last 22 years. Before taking up crime reporting as a career, Dey was a deep sea scuba diver.

He had wide contacts in several police departments and had broken numerous stories related to the underworld.

'Dey had written extensively about the underworld and had the best sources. He was well networked and knew the underworld inside out. It's shocking to know that he was shot dead,' said a senior journalist.

Dey had also authored two books, 'Zero Dial: The Dangerous World of Informers' and 'Khallas', on Mumbai's underworld.

Mumbai journalists late Saturday gathered at the Press Club to protest the killing and demanded that the perpetrators and conspirators of the crime be arrested and brought to book immediately.

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Senior Mid Day crime journalist shot dead

Mumbai, June 11 (IANS) Senior crime journalist of Mumbai-based eveninger Mid Day, Jyotindra Dey was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Powai in northwest Mumbai here Saturday afternoon, police said.

Police quoting eyewitnesses said two unidentified assailants came on a motorcycle and shot Dey, pumping three bullets in his chest before speeding away.

Dey, in his late 40s, was rushed to the nearby Hiranandani Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries soon afterwards. He is survived by his wife Shobha and his mother.

Condemning the murder, state Home Minister R.R. Patil said the Crime Branch will investigate the killing. 'The matter will be handed over to the crime branch and we will ensure that the culprit is brought to book,' he said.

Considered to be a major writer on Mumbai's underworld, Dey had been reporting on crime in the city for the last 22 years. Before taking up crime reporting as a career, Dey was a deep sea scuba diver.

Condemning his killing, Bharatiya Janata Party's Eknath Khadse, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, said that such attacks on media persons should be stopped. 'The state government should take strict action to stop such attacks,' he said.

Dey had wide contacts in several police departments and had broken numerous stories related to the underworld.

Dey was currently holding the position of editor, investigations, in Mid Day. He had earlier worked in the Indian Express and the Hindustan Times in Mumbai.

'Dey had written extensively about the underworld and had the best sources. He was well networked and knew the underworld in and out. It's shocking to know that he was shot dead,' said a senior journalist.

'Dey was soft spoken, non-interfering and kept to himself. But he would be forthcoming when it came to helping someone in crisis. He has done several mafia related breaking stories,' said another senior journalist who worked with Dey.

Dey also authored two books, 'Zero Dial: The Dangerous World of Informers' and 'Khallas', on Mumbai's underworld.

Dey had been writing about Dawood Ibrahim and Chotta Rajan and others for a long while.

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