Mumbai: Cops suspended for escorting Chhota Rajan aide

Chhota Rajan’s aide Kalia is the main accused in the murder of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey. Kalia was to be escorted by constables Shyamnath Solanke and Harinath Mane from the special MCOCA court to his cell in the Arthur Road prison.

Two police constables, who escorted undertrial Rohit Thangappan alias Satish Kalia to meet his wife on April 9, instead of taking him to the prison, have been suspended for dereliction of duty.

Chhota Rajan’s aide Kalia is the main accused in the murder of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey. Kalia was to be escorted by constables Shyamnath Solanke and Harinath Mane from the special MCOCA court to his cell in the Arthur Road prison.

The court and the cell are located on the same premises. But the policemen took him near the Mahalaxmi race course, where he met his wife and another relative for more than an hour. The incident came to light after the third constable, Nitin Gawas, tipped off his seniors, following a spat between them over the share in the bribe paid by Kalia.

While the meeting between Kalia and his wife went on for almost an hour, the policemen waited outside the van. The probe report states the policemen consumed juice with Kalia and others.