Dubai: Sharad Shetty, a Dubai-based businessman and suspected to be a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen at point blank range at the popular India club on January 19 night.

Sharad Shetty, widely known as Anna Shetty, was attacked by two pistol wielding youths at the foyer as he was entering the club around 9.00 pm local time in full view of its board of advisors, who were dispersing after a meeting, police said.

The assailants escaped after jumping the wall of club. "The motive of the murder is being investigated," said major general Sharafuddeen Hussain, assistant commander of the Dubai police. No arrest has been made in this connection so far, he added.

Though there was no clue of the identity of the assailants, the hand of rival Chhota Rajan gang is being suspected in the killing

"The incident happened right in front of our eyes, just as we were walking out of the meeting room. We saw Anna Shetty walking in and on the other side there were these two young men who suddenly took out their pistols and shot him at close range," unidentified eyewitnesses said.

Police has cordoned off the area after calling forensic experts. Soon after the news spread, a large number of the club members gathered outside its premises sending shivers among the Indian business fraternity.

The India Club is frequented by the elite Indian businessmen and diplomats in Dubai. It is located next to the Indian High School, the largest Indian school in Dubai run by a trust of community leaders.

PTI