A special court on Monday rejected the bail plea of Sujata Nikalje, wife of underworld don Chhota Rajan.
Sujata Nikalje was arrested on the charges of extortion under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Designated MCOCA Judge AP Bhangale rejected the bail application of Sujata saying that it would be premature to grant bail at this stage, particularly because the chargesheet had not been filed yet.
Earlier, eminent lawyer VR Manohar, pleading for Sujata's bail, argued that police had no evidence to suggest that she was "member of organised crime syndicate" and that the charges levelled against her were "baseless".
Prosecutor Rohini Salian countered his argument, stating that not only Sujata was part of organised crime syndicate of Chhota Rajan but also she was the one who controlled the gang after her husband fled the country.
Sujata, Rajan's brother Prakash and three others were arrested by police last month after an East Mumbai builder lodged complaint that the Rajan gang was extorting money from him.
While booking all the five under MCOCA act, police claimed that Sujata and other accused, through her company Khushi developers, were forcing their way into many construction projects in East Mumbai and also targeting builders for extortion.
{{/usCountry}}While booking all the five under MCOCA act, police claimed that Sujata and other accused, through her company Khushi developers, were forcing their way into many construction projects in East Mumbai and also targeting builders for extortion.
{{/usCountry}}Sujata's judicial custody will continue till January 23.