Notorious gangster Chhota Rajan, whose real name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2001 murder of hotelier Jaya Shetty. A Mumbai court delivered the verdict on Thursday, marking a significant moment in the long-standing case.
Special Judge AM Patil, presiding over cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), found Rajan guilty of orchestrating the murder of Shetty, the owner of the Golden Crown hotel in Gamdevi, central Mumbai. Shetty had been receiving extortion threats from Rajan’s gang and was eventually shot dead inside his hotel on May 4, 2001, by two gang members.
Despite being provided with police security due to the threats, Shetty’s security cover was inexplicably withdrawn two months prior to his murder. On the fateful day, the hotel manager and an employee managed to chase down and capture one of the shooters after the attack.
Chhota Rajan is currently incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail following his deportation from Indonesia in October 2015. His involvement in the murder of Jaya Shetty adds to his extensive criminal record, further cementing his notoriety.
Last year, Rajan made headlines by approaching the Bombay High Court (HC) against filmmaker Hansal Mehta and the producers of the web series ‘Scoop,’ Matchbox Shots LLP. Rajan objected to the use of his picture and voice in the series, claiming it infringed on his rights as the filmmakers did not seek his permission. He sought to permanently restrain the producers from releasing the series, which was based on the story of journalist Jigna Vora, who was accused of murdering fellow journalist Jyotirmoy Dey (J Dey). While Vora was acquitted in 2018, Rajan received a life sentence for his involvement in the case.
Sources By Agencies