A senior investigative journalist, who extensively covered underworld and crime for over two decades, was shot dead in broad daylight on Saturday by four motorbike-borne persons who pumped at least four bullets into him from behind at close range in suburban Powai.

Jyotirmoy Dey (56), Editor (Special Investigation) with an English tabloid ‘Mid-Day’, was riding his motorcycle when he was gunned down in a daring attack that shocked the media fraternity.

Dey was shot dead by unidentified persons in Powai at 15.30 hours, Joint Police Commissioner (Law & Order) Rajnish Seth said.

City police’s Crime Branch, which usually probes underworld and serious crime incidents, has taken up investigations into the case.

According to Additional Police Commissioner (West) Vishwas Nagre Patil, four persons on two mobikes fired at least four to five rounds at Dey, who was also riding a bike, from behind this afternoon near Spectra Building at D Mart in Hiranandani area of Powai.

After the attack, he was rushed to nearby Hiranandani hospital where he was declared dead before admission, Patil said, adding the shooters fled the spot after firing.

“Nine wounds were found on his body,” he said adding,” probably four to five bullets must have been fired taking into account entry and exit wounds.”

“We are probing the matter in all angles.” The body was taken to civic-run Rajawadi hospital for post mortem.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said Dey had not communicated to authorities any threat to him and suggested no one should “jump to conclusions.” State Home Minister R R Patil also said Dey had not made any complaint regarding any threat to his life.

Mid-Day Executive Editor Sachin Kalbag said Dey had not spoken to him about any danger to his life.

Police sources however said Dey, who recently ran a series of stories on oil mafia, had received threats from anti-social elements. He had also written two books on oil mafia and the underworld.

Prime Minister’s Media Advisor terms as shocking and unacceptable the killing of Dey.

Condemning the killing, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said no civilised society can tolerate this kind of attack on the freedom of the press.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the killing of a journalist and said the death would not silence their voices.