Nepali media tycoon gunned down in Kathmandu

Jamim Shah, a Nepali media tycoon and owner of a private TV channel, was gunned down in the heart of the capital today, amid speculation that the killing could be linked to his alleged association with the underworld.

Shah, 45, the former chairman of Space Time Network that operated a television channel and published a daily newspaper, was gunned near Hotel Radisson this afternoon, according to police.

Two unidentified men on motorcycle opened fire at Shah, who was travelling in a car with a companion. Shah was shot in his chest and was declared dead after he was taken to the hospital.

His bodyguard was injured in the broad daylight shoot out. Mathura Man Malakar sustained injuries in his leg and was rushed to the hospital, according to the police.

The gunmen were on a motorbike and shot at them before fleeing, according to eye witnesses.

Shah, a pioneer of the cable TV business in Nepal, started the broadcast of Channel Nepal from Thailand, according to a media report.

The Nepali media mogul is alleged to have links with the underworld, including Dawood Ibrahim and Chota Rajan, allegations he had consistently denied. It was also alleged that his TV channel had received investments from underworld sources.

Security has been intensified in the area and the police has started a hunt for the culprits.