On Wednesday, the Supreme Court cancelled the bail of notorious gangster Chhota Rajan in the 2001 murder of Mumbai hotelier Jaya Shetty, ending his brief hope for relief. Known for his decades-long criminal empire and multiple life sentences, Rajan was deemed unfit for suspension of sentence, with the apex court emphasizing that a convict with a history of abscondence and serious crimes cannot be lightly dealt with.
The case arose from the murder of Jaya Shetty, owner of the Golden Crown hotel, who was shot dead on May 4, 2001, allegedly by members of Rajan’s gang after he refused to pay Rs. 50,000 in extortion. Shetty had police protection, which was withdrawn two months prior to the killing. In May 2024, a Special MCOCA Court in Mumbai convicted Rajan under Sections 302 and 120B of the IPC, and Sections 3(1)(i), 3(2), and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA), sentencing him to life imprisonment with fines totaling Rs. 16 lakh. Rajan was already serving a life term for the 2011 murder of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey.
During the hearing, the CBI highlighted Rajan’s four prior convictions and 27 years of abscondence. Rajan’s counsel argued the case lacked evidence, noting that in 47 of 71 cases registered against him, the CBI had found no material and closed the investigations.
The Apex Court rejected these arguments, observing that prior acquittals were largely due to witnesses not coming forward. Justice Mehta remarked, “Four convictions, why suspension of sentence for such a man?” The Court allowed the CBI’s appeal, cancelling Rajan’s bail and ensuring he remains in judicial custody.
Source PTI
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