Maharashtra hands over Chhota Rajan cases to CBI

Owing to mafia don Chhota Rajan’s claims of threat to his life in Mumbai, the Maharashtra government decided to lodge him in a high security prison in the capital and make CBI the primary investigation agency to probe all the cases registered against him, hours before his landing in India. As soon as Rajan flew out of Bali airport in a special aircraft late Thursday evening, the Maharashtra government said it has decided to hand over cases related to the underworld don to the CBI.

The move came amidst speculation that the decision to keep him in Delhi, instead of Mumbai, may be the result of some kind of an ‘’understanding’’ struck between the Indian agencies and Rajan, whose legal counsel in Indonesia did not ‘’challenge’’ India’s request for his deportation in the Indonesian court — paving the way for his return to India after a two-decade long international manhunt.

While not believing Rajan’s claims of ‘’nexus between some Maharashtra police officials and India’s most wanted Dawoof Ibrahim,’’ the government took a prudent decision to hand over the matter to the CBI.

“The cases are being handed over to the CBI because of the agency’s expertise in handling trans-national crimes,” said Maharashtra additional chief secretary K.P. Bakshi in Mumbai.

The decision is learnt to have been taken after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held discussions with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and home minister Rajnath Singh. Mr Doval has been overseeing the entire operation of Rajan’s arrest and subsequent deportation from Bali, chalking out the course of his return to the capital, top sources said. Rajan, who is being brought to India from Bali in a special aircraft, is expected to land in the capital early Thursday morning amid tight security arrangements. “Had Rajan pleaded against the deportation, citing threat to his life, in the Indonesian court, his deportation would have been difficult,’ a top official conceded. The agencies are keeping a close watch on the terror and underworld syndicates amid reports that the rival gangs operating at the behest of Dawood and Chhota Shakeel will pull out all stops to target Rajan if given a chance.

Notably, 24 hours before his deportation to India, Rajan claimed that a section of Mumbai police officials have an unholy nexus with Dawood.

Meanwhile, India has revoked the passport of the arrested underworld don as investigation proved that the document was procured on a fake identity by him from the Indian mission in Australia.

“His passport has been revoked as it was obtained using fake identity,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, adding, the government has instituted an inquiry into the matter.

Asked how the high commission in Australia issued the passport, he said, “It is not the first case when a fake document was used to get a passport nor it will be the last. But whenever it comes to our notice, we take action.”

Rajan, had been travelling on an Indian passport issued in the name of one Mohan Kumar and was nabbed at Bali airport on his arrival from Australia on October 25.

Rajan, whose original name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhalje, is wanted in 68 cases registered in Mumbai, which include murder, extortion, Arms Act and attempt to murder cases with charges slapped against him under stringent acts like, MCOCA, TADA and even POTA. Meanwhile, the CBI is preparing to question Rajan in connection with the agency’s ongoing investigations into a fake passport case. The Delhi police also has registered six cases against him and a joint interrogation of the agencies concerned may take place in the next few days.

A special court may also be set up to fast track trial of all cases pending against Rajan. The CBI has made elaborate security arrangements to keep Rajan at the high-security agency headquarters here. Armed commandos have been stationed at the CBI’s lock-ups, where Rajan is likely to be kept.