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Gangster Chhota Rajan Arrested From Bali After Two Decades On The Run

Gangster Chhota Rajan Arrested From Bali After Two Decades On The Run
Interpol

One of India's most dreaded gangsters on the run from law enforcement agencies for over two decades, Chhota Rajan, was finally arrested from Bali, Indonesia, the Central Bureau Of Investigation confirmed on Monday.

The CBI tipped off the Australian police, which in turn informed the Indonesian police following the arrest of Rajan from the island of Bali, according to reports. The former aide to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, whose real name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, was detained on Sunday as he arrived at the airport from Sydney, Bali police spokesman Heri Wiyanto told AFP.

Indian Express reported that both Home Minister Rajnath Singh and CBI have confirmed the arrest of Rajan. "Bali Police arrested Chhota Rajan yesterday at CBI’s request made through Interpol," Express quoted CBI Director Anil Sinha as saying.

PS Pasricha, former DG, Maharashtra, told Times Now news channel that Rajan was "a very big catch".

"He was the second most dreaded mafia king after Dawood, and after the 1993 Mumbai blasts, he found his own gang. Their activities peaked in 1995-96, so much so that people in Mumbai were reluctant to hold marriages or purchase flats or expensive cars because their agents would be everywhere," Pasricha said.

AFP reported that Rajan will likely be deported to India. 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).

The site listed his passport number as G9273860 and said the gangster arrived in Indonesia from Sydney on a Garuda Indonesia flight.

Suspected of masterminding the killing of 15-20 people in India, he was handed over to the Bali Police for further proceedings, the report said.

A notice on the CBI website said the 56-year-old crime lord has charges of attempt to murder, murder and possession and use of illegal firearms against him.

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