Khan, 46, was at his Musafirkhana office near Crawford Market around 8.30 pm when two unidentified hitmen barged into the premises and fired from point blank range. He was declared dead before admission to St George Hospital.According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pradeep Sawant, it was too early to say who could be behind the gruesome killing. Investigations by the crime branch is on, Sawant added.

However, police sources said that the killing could be related to the approaching Lok Sabha elections and could be a fallout of the changing political equation in the State. The involvement of the Arun Gawli gang in Khan's murder cannot be ruled out, sources added.

Earlier, Khan's associate and Congress MLA Ziauddin Bhukari was also shot dead by Gawli shooters Vijay Narsale and SudhakarMirasi near Byculla Bridge in early 1993.

Khan's killing assumes significance in light of the fact he too had become very active in recent weeks in mobilising political support for the Congress party. He was instrumental in conducting two meetings with the Muslim community during Congress leader Arjun Singh's visit to the city this week.While Khan's leaning towards the Congress has been confirmed, sources in the political circles said that he was opposed to Sharad Pawar's attempts to woo the Muslim community, more so in the aftermath of the riots that rocked the city in 1992-93.

The police also have to ascertain whether the Chhota Rajan gang was involved in the Khan's murder. The outfit have in the past killed at least five bomb blast accused or their sympathisers.