Gangster shot dead by Mumbai police

A gangster wanted in several criminal cases was today gunned down by Crime Branch in south Mumbai, police said.

Acting on a tip-off, a Crime Branch team laid a trap for Ashok Parihar (48), a member of the Pandav Putra gang, near Opera House where he arrived with an associate in the wee hours today, they said.

The two were asked to surrender, but they opened fire at the team. Police returned the fire, seriously injuring Parihar, they said.

Parihar was rushed to the government-run JJ Hospital, where he was declared dead, police said, adding his associate manged to escaped from the spot.

The gangster was wanted to several cases, including murder, extortion and robbery.