Three Shakel men killed

MUMBAI, MAY 11: Three Chhota Shakeel gangsters, including the main accused in the killings of Roopam Stores owner Bharat Shah, were gunned down in a police encounter at a Malad bar this evening.

Deputy Commissioner of Police crime Param Bir Singh said sharp-shooter Nilesh Govind Kokam, Pradeep More and Vijay alias Lala alias Balu had assembled at Garden Court bar at Chincholi Bunder, Malad west, to plot a major crime8217; in the area. A special squad attached to unit III of the Crime Branch kept watch outside the bar at around 7 pm. On receiving a signal from their informer, the squad asked the men to surrender. The trio reportedly fired on the police, who retaliated. The injured gangsters were taken to Bhagwati Hospital, Borivli, but were declared dead before admission.

Apart from Shah8217;s murder, Kokam, 23, was also named in the murder of advocate Ashok Sutrale at Borivli early this year. His name also figured in the police8217;s 12 Most Wanted8217; gangsters. Kokam is the seventh name to be wiped off thislist, informed the police.