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Indian gangster due home to face justice after decades on run Indian gangster due home to face justice after decades on run
(about 1 hour later)
One of India’s most wanted gangsters is on his way back to the country almost 30 years after fleeing. One of India’s most wanted gangsters is heading back to the country almost 30 years after fleeing.
Authorities in Indonesia detained Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, 55 – known as Chhota Rajan – in Bali last week, ending one of the most high-profile and long-lasting manhunts in Asia. Authorities in Indonesia detained Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, 55, known as Chhota Rajan, – in Bali last week, ending one of the most high-profile and long-lasting manhunts in Asia.
Interior ministry officials in Delhi refused to comment on the detention, citing security concerns. But deportation formalities have been fast-tracked and Rajan, who is facing more than 75 charges including scores of murders, is likely to be flown to Delhi late on Tuesday evening. It is expected he will be held in the capital’s high security Tihar jail. Interior ministry officials in Delhi declined to comment on the detention, citing security concerns. But deportation formalities have been fast-tracked and Rajan, who faces more than 75 charges including scores of murders, is likely to be flown to Delhi on Tuesday evening. It is expected he will be held in the capital’s high security Tihar jail.
His capture is thought to have been orchestrated by Ajit Doval, national security adviser to the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, and has been described as a “major achievement” by local media.His capture is thought to have been orchestrated by Ajit Doval, national security adviser to the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, and has been described as a “major achievement” by local media.
From humble origins as a cinema ticket tout, Rajan rose to run powerful organised crime networks in Mumbai, the commercial capital, in the 1980s.From humble origins as a cinema ticket tout, Rajan rose to run powerful organised crime networks in Mumbai, the commercial capital, in the 1980s.
Related: India appoints first Muslim to head Intelligence Bureau in 125-year historyRelated: India appoints first Muslim to head Intelligence Bureau in 125-year history
A close associate of Dawood Ibrahim, a gang boss who is currently India’s most wanted fugitive, Rajan made huge sums from extortion rackets targeting the Bollywood film industry. A close associate of Dawood Ibrahim, a gang boss who is India’s most wanted fugitive, Rajan made huge sums from extortion rackets targeting the Bollywood film industry.
After fleeing India towards the end of the decade, he evaded authorities and continued his criminal career in Thailand, Indonesia and Australia, where he was living under a false Indian passport until last week.After fleeing India towards the end of the decade, he evaded authorities and continued his criminal career in Thailand, Indonesia and Australia, where he was living under a false Indian passport until last week.
The impending arrival of Rajan in India has also prompted a turf war between India’s security agencies, with officials in Delhi indicating that they do not have full confidence in Mumbai’s police force. Gangs in the city are known for having close relations with some corrupt officers.The impending arrival of Rajan in India has also prompted a turf war between India’s security agencies, with officials in Delhi indicating that they do not have full confidence in Mumbai’s police force. Gangs in the city are known for having close relations with some corrupt officers.
However, Mumbai police chiefs have insisted that Rajan, who is reported to be unwell, should be handed in to their custody to face trial for dozens of serious crimes in their jurisdiction.However, Mumbai police chiefs have insisted that Rajan, who is reported to be unwell, should be handed in to their custody to face trial for dozens of serious crimes in their jurisdiction.
Complicating the case further is the possibility that Rajan has been a source of information for Indian intelligence services, primarily on the whereabouts and operations of his former associate Ibrahim.Complicating the case further is the possibility that Rajan has been a source of information for Indian intelligence services, primarily on the whereabouts and operations of his former associate Ibrahim.
In 2005, Doval, a former intelligence chief before being appointed national security adviser last year, was found by Mumbai police in the company of key aides of Rajan when they intercepted a car carrying the men in Delhi.In 2005, Doval, a former intelligence chief before being appointed national security adviser last year, was found by Mumbai police in the company of key aides of Rajan when they intercepted a car carrying the men in Delhi.
There have been reports in India that Rajan gave himself up to Indian authorities as part of a deal. In a profile in the Hindu newspaper, security reporter Josy Joseph said Rajan was seen as “the patriotic don”.There have been reports in India that Rajan gave himself up to Indian authorities as part of a deal. In a profile in the Hindu newspaper, security reporter Josy Joseph said Rajan was seen as “the patriotic don”.
Rajan was reported to have told reporters in Indonesia that he was not scared – believed to be a reference to threats from rival gangs to kill him if he ever returned home. Rajan was reported to have told reporters in Indonesia that he was not scared – believed to be a reference to threats from rival gangs to kill him if he returned home.
In recent years, the infamous gangs of Mumbai have lost much of their power, with legal industries such as construction replacing drugs and extortion as the preferred way for many criminals to earn significant sums of money. The killing of many gang members by specialist police “encounter” squads was also a factor in their decline.In recent years, the infamous gangs of Mumbai have lost much of their power, with legal industries such as construction replacing drugs and extortion as the preferred way for many criminals to earn significant sums of money. The killing of many gang members by specialist police “encounter” squads was also a factor in their decline.
“His network was finished around 10 years back. He had so many millions but his lieutenants left him because he killed his own men,” said Sachin Vaze, a former anti-gang police officer.“His network was finished around 10 years back. He had so many millions but his lieutenants left him because he killed his own men,” said Sachin Vaze, a former anti-gang police officer.
Rajan retained some influence in Mumbai, however, and was alleged to have been linked to the killing of a high-profile journalist, Jyotirmoy Dey, in the city in June 2011.Rajan retained some influence in Mumbai, however, and was alleged to have been linked to the killing of a high-profile journalist, Jyotirmoy Dey, in the city in June 2011.
Related: Gangs targeting Bollywood stars again in search for ‘new business model’Related: Gangs targeting Bollywood stars again in search for ‘new business model’
“For me he was never a real don. He was always the petty criminal, a black marketeer. He was always No 2,” Vaze told the Guardian.“For me he was never a real don. He was always the petty criminal, a black marketeer. He was always No 2,” Vaze told the Guardian.
Recently there has been a surge in gang activity in Mumbai targeting the film industry in an effort to find a “new business model”, police in the city said last year.Recently there has been a surge in gang activity in Mumbai targeting the film industry in an effort to find a “new business model”, police in the city said last year.
Investigators intercepted communications indicating that gunmen have been told not to hurt top film stars but simply to scare them.Investigators intercepted communications indicating that gunmen have been told not to hurt top film stars but simply to scare them.
Experienced observers of the Mumbai crime scene said that as “big guys have pretty much retired”, the extortion efforts directed at Bollywood celebrities were the work of “desperadoes trying to establish themselves and cash in on the fear factor”.Experienced observers of the Mumbai crime scene said that as “big guys have pretty much retired”, the extortion efforts directed at Bollywood celebrities were the work of “desperadoes trying to establish themselves and cash in on the fear factor”.
Rajan’s relations with Ibrahim, a Muslim, soured rapidly and a definitive split came after a series of bombings in Mumbai in 1993. According to a 2005 US diplomatic cable, Rajan reportedly objected to the attacks, which had been planned by Ibrahim following the destruction of the Babri Masjid mosque by rightwing Hindu extremists the previous year. The emnity grew deeper over the years, with lethal results.Rajan’s relations with Ibrahim, a Muslim, soured rapidly and a definitive split came after a series of bombings in Mumbai in 1993. According to a 2005 US diplomatic cable, Rajan reportedly objected to the attacks, which had been planned by Ibrahim following the destruction of the Babri Masjid mosque by rightwing Hindu extremists the previous year. The emnity grew deeper over the years, with lethal results.
“Rajan is believed to have been responsible for the targeted killing of a number of Ibrahim’s associates,” the cable said. The followers believed killed by Rajan’s henchmen over the last 20 years include many wanted by Indian authorities.“Rajan is believed to have been responsible for the targeted killing of a number of Ibrahim’s associates,” the cable said. The followers believed killed by Rajan’s henchmen over the last 20 years include many wanted by Indian authorities.
Many in India believe Ibrahim is now living in Pakistan, where he is alleged to benefit from the protection of local security services.Many in India believe Ibrahim is now living in Pakistan, where he is alleged to benefit from the protection of local security services.
But the rivalry between the major gangs of the 1980s and 1990s continues to cause violence. Two criminals with alleged links to Ibrahim’s gang – including one extradited from Saudi Arabia five years ago – were killed in a scuffle in a prison in the southern state of Karnataka earlier this week. But the rivalry between the major gangs of the 1980s and 1990s continues to cause violence. Two criminals with alleged links to Ibrahim’s gang – including one extradited from Saudi Arabia five years ago – were killed in a scuffle in a prison in the southern state of Karnataka this week.