Santosh, who runs a laundry in the Colaba area of Mumbai, was hit by a bullet when he came out of his shop after hearing gunshots on Wednesday night. He is currently undergoing treatment at the J J Hospital in Mumbai.

Santosh said that on the fateful night, he was to catch a train for Uttar Pradesh to attend the marriage of his nephew, which was scheduled for November 29 in Jaunpur. “I was busy cross-checking account at my shop St. Michael Laundary when suddenly there was a deafening sound around 9.30 pm. I came out to see what was happening. My two neighbours — Sabhu Khan from Bihar and Subhash Baghel from Gujarat — also came to my shop on hearing the noise,” said Santosh.

He added: “We saw two persons firing indiscriminately inside Leopold Café, which is located opposite my shop. Before we could understand what was happening, one of them came out and opened fire at us. Khan and Baghel died on the spot, while I sustained injury on the shoulder.”

Santosh said he immediately called up his friend Alam, who runs a tailoring shop nearby. When the firing stopped after 15 minutes, Alam took Santosh to the St George Hospital. The victim was operated upon on Friday and then shifted to the J J Hospital.

Santosh’s elder brother Fauzdar, who runs a tailoring shop in Rajhans Colony, said: “My family members in Jaunpur wanted to come to Mumbai to meet him. But I asked them not to come as there is a marriage function.”

Fauzdar has been staying in Mumbai for the last 25 years, while his younger brother came to the city nearly 10 years ago. “Initially, Santosh worked with a private firm. Around four years ago, he took a shop on rent behind the Hotel Taj,” said Fauzdar.

Santosh’s younger brother Satish, who is in Jaunpur, told The Indian Express that their father would leave for Mumbai after the marriage function is over.