A 32-year-old shopkeeper-cum-RTI activist from the powerloom town of Bhiwandi, who was allegedly attacked by a nine-member gang, today died at the IGM Hospital here, police said.

Thane: A 32-year-old shopkeeper-cum-RTI activist from the powerloom town of Bhiwandi, who was allegedly attacked by a nine-member gang, today died at the IGM Hospital here, police said. Abrar Ahmad Jamil Ansari was attacked with wooden planks by the gang members on Monday in the Gayatri Nagar locality.

Ansari bleeding profusely was rushed to the hospital by locals. Four of the attackers have been identified in the FIR filed at Shantinagar police station as Shaikh, Ashid Khan, Wasim and Bahatar Puli.

The exact motive behind the attack was not immediately known, a police officer said. A case which was initially registered under Section 325 of the IPC would be now be converted to a formal case, the officer said. Senior police officers have gone to the hospital to probe the attack and the death of the victim, the police said.

Investigations into the murder will soon be handed over to another senior officer of the Shantinagar police station as per instructions from the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police of Bhiwandi, the officer added.

PTI