Varanasi, Aug 23 - An assistant commissioner of the Central Excise Department was shot dead in Varanasi Sunday evening, police informed.

The officer, Nandeshwar Singh, was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne men in the busy Karaundi market in the Lanka police circle.

'According to eye witnesses, the men fired indiscriminately at Singh from close range. Four bullets hit him on his head and the doctors declared him brought dead when he was taken to the Sir Sunder Lal Hospital,' Superintendent of Police (City) Vijay Bhushan told reporters.

Singh was in his car when the criminals fired at him amidst a traffic jam and fled from the spot.

'Several police teams are on the job to nab the criminals', Bhushan added.

According to police sources, Singh had unearthed a major bungling in taxes a few days ago and his murder might be an outcome of his investigation.