Mumbai hotelier Jaya Shetty murder case: A special court in Mumbai on Thursday convicted gangster Chhota Rajan in the case of the murder of hotelier Jaya Shetty in 2001. The court is likely to decide the quantum of punishment later in the day.
Special Judge AM Patil, for the cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA), found Rajan guilty under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for murder.
Jaya Shetty murder?
Jaya Shetty, the owner of the Golden Crown Hotel located in Gamdevi, central Mumbai, was tragically murdered on May 4, 2001. He had been facing extortion threats from the Chhota Rajan gang. The fatal attack occurred when two purported members of the gang shot him on the hotel's first floor.
After reporting the extortion threats, Shetty had been provided police protection. However, he requested the withdrawal of his security detail two months prior to the attack.
About Chhota Rajan
It is pertinent to note that Chhota Rajan is currently under detention. He was first arrested at the Bali airport and was extradited to India in 2015. Currently he has been lodged in Tihar's Jail no. 2 also known to be a high-security cell.
From Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhalje to Chhota Rajan
Born Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhalje, Chhota Rajan's journey from the streets of Mumbai to the organized crime world is a story of intrigue and infamy. Initially involved in petty crimes like selling black market movie tickets, Rajan first entered the world of organized crime as he joined then ganster Rajan Nair gang, led by the notorious 'Bada Rajan.' Following Nair's demise, Chhota Rajan assumed leadership of the gang.
Once considered a close associate of Dawood, Chhota Rajan broke ties with Dawood after the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. This rift led to incessant violent clashes between the two factions, resulting in bloodshed across Mumbai, Dubai, and Nepal.
After running from the clutches of law agencies for years, it was in 2015 that Chhota Rajan was finally detained. His arrest followed after a seemingly innocuous WhatsApp call that inadvertently disclosed his location. Moreover, his detention to India marked a significant victory for law enforcement agencies.
(With PTI inputs)
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