Tags:
Journalism of Courage
August 19: Three criminals, allegedly belonging to the notorious Chhota Shakeel gang were shot dead by police in an encounter near noted film producer B R Chopra’s residence, in Juhu this afternoon. Chopra was busy on an outdoor shoot at the time.
The police, however, denied that the three had any conspiracy against Chopra. “Though famous personalities from the film industry are being threatened and targetted by the underworld, the three had not come to kill Chopra. The film world should not be scared by this encounter,” a senior police officer said on Tuesday evening. Officers attached to the special squad of Deputy Police Commissioner zone VII R T Rathod shot dead Nasir Hussain alias Yunus Karwari, Abdul Riyaz and Mushtaq Hussain at around 3.30 pm. The police, acting on a tip-off, carried out the operation opposite Chopra’s bungalow on Juhu Tara road.The deceased were later identified as sharp shooters of the Chhota Shakeel gang. The police also said that the three were known criminals who featured on police records. Sources maintain that assistant inspector of police Pradeep Sharma was informed about the gangsters, who were to arrive at the spot to receive extortion money from a renowned builder. The officers divided themselves in groups and waited for the three. As the gangsters arrived at the scene of action, one of the officers identified them and asked them to surrender. Following this, the three opened fire at the police team.
The police retaliated and fired at the trio, injuring them seriously. They were rushed to the Cooper municipal hospital, but were declared dead before admission.
