Forty-five-year-old Sangam Mishra, owner of Ashtabhuja Constructions, was returning home at Kasturba Bhavan at around 10 pm on Saturday when the killer or killers, still unidentified, shot him from behind.

Mishra’s body was found around 10.30 pm by a 25-year-old youth, who had entered the building to meet his uncle. The youth’s uncle identified the body and called the police and Mishra’s family

A case of murder has been registered at Gamdevi police station, located very close to Kasturba Bhavan.

Neighbours said they had heard the sound of a bullet, but dismissed it as a firecracker.

The police believe it was a cold blooded murder. The belief is supported by the fact that at the time of murder, Mishra had with him Rs 2 lakh cash in a plastic bag, which was left untouched. His mobile phones and the wallet which had Rs 25,000, were also found intact.

The Gamdevi police suspect business rivalry or extortion may have led to the murder. Mishra, however, had not filed any complaint with the police.

Mishra was a government contractor who used to undertake contracts for the Public Works Department of the state government. He would also repair and renovate government-owned buildings. For the past four to six years, he had been contracted to build protective structures around salt pans in Pen in Raigad district.

Minutes before being shot, he had spoken to his brother and colleagues. He had even called home at 9:45 pm to tell them that he would be back within a few minutes. But when he did not return, his daughter called him on his mobile, which went unanswered.