Gangster on run for 15 years, finally nabbed

Mumbai: The Mumbai crime branch has arrested an alleged Chhota Rajan gang member who was on the run since 15 years to avoid arrest in a murder case registered against him with the Nalasopara police. The accused, Chandrakant Patil alias Chandu Mama, had subsequently fled to Delhi and joined the Subhashsinh Thakur gang.

He had been visiting Mumbai frequently. After unit 11 received a tip-off that Patil was to come to Borivali, a team comprising Chimaji Adhav, Sharad Zine and others laid a trap and nabbed him. The accused was booked in a murder case related to a 2003 land dispute where one Rajendra Patange had been allegedly gunned down by a team of Rajan gang members led by Patil. Patil had similar such cases registered against him in Thane and Mumbai. He was also arrested in Delhi with the Thakur gang members.

Nisar Tamboli, deputy commissioner of police (crime branch), said, “The local police had arrested nine persons following the murder. Four others, including Rajan, were named as wanted in the case. Patil fled from Mumbai following the incident and was on the run ever since.”