“On the request of CBI (Interpol-India), Bali Police has arrested Rajan, who has other names – Mohan Kumar alias Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhil ji alias Chota Rajan”, CBI director Anil Sinha told TOI, confirming the arrest of Chhota Rajan.
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Rajan, a one-time close confidante of India ” s most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, is wanted for heinous crimes ranging from murder to extortion and drug smuggling and had a Interpol Red-Corner Notice issued against him.
Bali police spokesman Heri Wiyanto told BBC News that they detained Nikalje as soon as he arrived at the Bali airport.
55-year-old Rajan, a famous Indian criminal was on the run for over two decades, said Wiyanto with Interpol flagging him as a wanted man back in 1995.
It is also important to note that Rajan’s arrest will also increase the burden on Mumbai police who will now have to monitor one more don in the city apart from Arun Gawli. The National Central Bureau-Interpol, Indonesia’s website said that an arrest warrant was out for Nikalje on October 12, 1994 from India and in 1995 Interpol issued a Red Notice (No. A-360 / 7-1995).
Last month, the federal police had confirmed that Chhota Rajan was living in Australia under a fake identity and since were in consultation with the Indian authorities to make the next move.
Mr Wiyanto said the Bali police has contacted the Indian consulate and the deportation process is now being prepared.
On whether 1993 Mumbai blasts accused Dawood Ibrahim would be the next target, Singh said, “Let’s see what happens in the future”.
“I also want to clarify that these are not the only recourse”. He said that he lived in Australia and before that in Zimbabwe and wanted to go there. According to reports, he is set to be extradited to India in a few days.
CBI spokesperson Devpreet Singh identified the person arrested as Mohan Kumar alias Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje alias Chota Rajan.
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The reason – Rajan’s detention has taken away their major source of information on India’s most wanted gangster Dawood Ibrahim.
