Report and pics by Rons Bantwal
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (MB)

Mumbai, May 30: In what is suspected as an underworld operation, Sukhesh Shetty, a 31-year-old restaurateur hailing from Padubidri near Mangalore, was shot dead by a gang in Bharati Lunch Home in Khar Mumbai on Monday night.

Nirmal Nagar Housing Society resident Sukesh Raju Shetty was at dinner with his friends in Bharati Lunch Home, when unidentified gunmen barged into restaurant and first shot at a waiter's leg, but the waiter escaped unhurt. Soon after, the gunmen started firing at Sukhesh and he was seriously injured and collapsed on the spot. Though he was rushed to Santacruz hospital, he could not be saved.

Announcement from friends

Sukhesh was son of Raju Shetty, who himself was a restaurateur and who had died 14 years ago. He did his schooling in Mumbai and was a Commerce graduate. He lived with his mother Shakuntala Shetty and other family members in Nirmal Nagar.

He is survived by his mother, a brother and a sister.
 
Later reports say that notorious gangster Hemant Poojary has telephoned a local TV channel in Mumbai and claimed the responsibility for the killing. Unconfirmed reports say that Sukhesh was possibly close to the Poojary gang few years before but later stayed away from the gang. Also it is suspected that to settle some old score the gang might have got rid of Sukhesh.

Deputy police superintendent Anup Patnaik and additional police superintendent Bipin Bihari are investigating the case.