MCOCA court dismisses Chhota Rajan’s application

Mumbai: A special MCOCA court has rejected an application filed by Chhota Rajan seeking to array four witnesses as accused in the case of attempt to murder builder Ajay Ghosalia by firing him. The court was hearing cases against gangster Rajendra Nikalje alias Chhota Rajan.

The defence submitted this application after an accused-turned-approver in his testimony told the court how a conspiracy was hatched and what role the accused had played in firing. According to the applicants, the witness’s statement highlights how these four witnesses dealt with firearms, played some or the other role and were aware of the conspiracy and they should be made accused in the case.

The prosecution’s case is that on August 28 evening, in 2013, former bookie-turned-developer Ghosalia came out of the Infinity Mall in Malad (W) where three unknown persons started firing at him. The three fled from the spot after grievously injuring Ghosalia. The builder was rushed to a hospital where he survived and a case of attempt to murder was registered. Now, ten persons including Rajan and his men are facing trial in the case.

The prosecution has examined Amit Sinha as first witness who was accused in the case but turned approver. After his testimony was over, Rajan moved an application before the court seeking to array witnesses Ashok Gharat, Dinesh Thakur, Sukesh Shinde and Nadeem Qureshi alias Nitin Gaikwad as accused.