Muzaffarnagar: A 55-year-old man, who was an eye-witness in his son's murder case, was allegedly shot dead in Shamli district, three days before he was to record his statement in a court in connection with the case, police said.  

Ramniwas, a tent contractor, was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne miscreants when he was returning home last evening, DY SP Nishank Sharma said.

Ramniwas's son Nitu was murdered in October 2013 and the case was pending in court, Sharma said, adding, the father was to record his statement in the court in this connection on November 25.

According to police, Ramniwas was threatened of dire consequences by the accused if he did not withdraw the case.  Efforts are on to nab the absconding accused, he said.