Investigative journalist shot dead in Mumbai

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Four gunmen shot dead a senior investigative journalist specialising in organised crime in the Indian city of Mumbai on Saturday, police said.

Jyotirmoy Dey, 50, was killed at 2:30 p.m. at his home in the city's Powai district, and the gunmen escaped on motorcycles, said the official, who did not wish to be identified.

Dey led a team of crime and investigative reporters at the Mid Day newspaper and had written books on different gangs involved in organised crime in Mumbai.

"He brought depth to our investigative reporting, and he conducted his journalism with honesty and integrity," Sachin Kalbag, executive editor of Mid Day, said in a statement.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said the assassination was a challenge to the freedom of the press.

Prithviraj Chavan, chief minister of the state of Maharashtra, said the government was determined to track down the assailants.

(Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj; Editing by Kevin Liffey)