May 30th 2024.
In a recent development, a special court in Mumbai has decided to sentence notorious mafia leader Rajendra S Nikhalje, also known as Chhota Rajan, to life imprisonment for the murder of hotelier Jaya Shetty in 2001. The verdict was announced by Special MCOCA Court Judge AM Patil on Thursday, who found Chhota Rajan guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and other laws that were invoked against him for the crime that took place 23 years ago.
Jaya Shetty, the owner of the renowned Golden Crown Hotel & Bar located in the Grant Road area of south Mumbai, had a run-in with Chhota Rajan and his associates. On the night of May 4, 2001, two of Rajan's shooters allegedly stormed into the hotel and brutally murdered Shetty on the upper floor, causing panic and fear in the hospitality industry. Prior to this tragic incident, Shetty had reported receiving extortion threats and calls from Chhota Rajan's henchmen, which prompted him to seek police protection. However, he later requested for the security to be withdrawn, and unfortunately, he became a target just two months after it was taken away.
This is not the first time Chhota Rajan has been handed a life sentence in Mumbai. In 2018, he was convicted for the sensational murder of journalist J. Dey, which took place in broad daylight on June 11, 2011. Known as one of the most feared mafia bosses in Mumbai, Chhota Rajan had fled to Dubai in 1989 and was only brought back to India in November 2015 after spending nearly 27 years on the run in Indonesia. Interestingly, in September 2000, he had narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in a Bangkok hotel, which was allegedly orchestrated by his arch-rival and wanted terrorist-gangster, Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar. After this attack, Chhota Rajan had gone into hiding once again until he was finally apprehended by the Indonesian Police in October 2015 and deported to India.
The decision to sentence Chhota Rajan to life imprisonment is a significant victory for the Indian justice system and a major blow to organized crime in the country. The long-awaited justice for Jaya Shetty and his family has finally been served, bringing an end to a 20-year long battle for closure. It also sends a strong message to other criminals that they cannot escape the consequences of their actions, no matter how long they try to evade the law. With this verdict, the city of Mumbai can breathe a little easier, knowing that a dangerous criminal has been brought to justice.
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