CBI files two fresh cases against Rajan

First case deals with the firing in Bhendi Bazaar in which two persons were killed in 2010, while the second case is firing on businessman BR Shetty in 2012 at Andheri

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday filed two fresh cases against gangster Rajendra Nikalje alias Chhota Rajan. The first case is firing in Bhendi Bazaar in which two persons were killed in 2010, while the second case is firing on businessman BR Shetty in 2012 at Andheri.

Chhota Rajan (REUTERS)

In the first case, which occurred on February 13, 2010, nearly five people had fired at Asif Dadhi in Bhendi Bazaar. Though Dadhi escaped with minor injuries, his friends, Shakeel Ibrahim Modak and Mohammad Irfan Qureshi, were killed. Two others were injured.

Two henchmen of Rajan were later arrested by the Mumbai crime branch for their alleged involvement in the case. The police suspected the shootout was a fallout of a redevelopment in Bhendi Bazaar. A case was then filed with the JJ Marg police station for murder, attempt to murder and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

In the second case, Shetty was shot on October 3, 2012, in Andheri when he was on his way for dinner at his friend’s place. He survived the attack.

The spokesperson for the CBI, RK Gaur, confirmed that the bureau had taken over the two cases earlier investigated by the Mumbai police.

Rajan, was arrested on the basis of an Interpol red corner notice at Bali airport in Indonesia on October 25, 2015, and deported to India on November 6, 2015.

The gangster later expressed apprehensions that he should not be taken to Mumbai as he might be attacked by rival gang members.

Hence considering the threat on Rajan and complicity of the cases, the state government had asked for a CBI investigation. Later by a government notification, all his cases were handed over to the CBI in Delhi.