Despite examining 100 witnesses, prosecution yet to prove who killed journalist J Dey

Mumbai city news: The prosecution, however, claims to have strong evidence against gangster Chhota Rajan, who is said to be a key conspirator.

Even after examining 100 witnesses, the prosecution is yet to present evidence against six men who allegedly shot journalist J Dey in 2011. However, it claims to have strong evidence against gangster Chhota Rajan, who is said to be a key conspirator.

J Dey was shot near Powai garden on June 11, 2011 (HT)

The prosecution on Thursday examined the 100th witness, a journalist, before the court for Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The journalist works with a news channel and had a telephonic conversation with Rajan after the murder. According to him, Rajan confessed that he had got Dey killed. The prosecution said Rajan was upset with Dey for writing stories against his gang in a tabloid in Mumbai. The gangster had suspected that Dey may have joined hands with a rival gang.

The prosecution has so far brought witnesses who have substantiated its arguments that Rajan was the key conspirator.

Last week, Manoj Shivdasani, a witness in the case, identified Rajan’s voice in a phone conversation. Rajan called Shivdasani two months after the murder.

“The prosecution has not brought witnesses against the shooters. It has yet not examined the eye witnesses in the case,” said Santosh Deshpande, lawyer for Satish Kalia, who is one of the alleged shooters.

J Dey was shot near Powai garden on June 11, 2011. He was attacked when on his way to his house in Powai to have lunch with his wife. The prosecution claimed that the six assailants followed Dey throughout the day before shooting him. The police identified the alleged shooters as Satish Kalia, Anil Waghmode, Abhijeet Shinde, Nilesh Shendge, Arun Dake, Mangesh Agawane and Sachin Gaikwad. They have arrested 12 people.