Dreaded criminal Ullu Raju gets life term

Kolkata: Dreaded criminal of the late 90's, Sabbir Alam, alias Ullu Raju, who was arrested in connection with a murder in New Market area in 2001 was awarded life imprisonment by City Sessions Court on Monday.

It was 17 years back on November 12, 2001 when Ullu Raju had shot dead a businessman Mohammad Asgar of New Market area after the later refused to cough up a huge amount of extortion money that was demanded by Raju. On the fateful day, Raju along with one of his associate Yusuf Warsi, alias Baccha, had barged into the residence of Asgar demanding money and when he refused a quarrel ensued following which Raju shot right at Asgar's head from point blank range.

Asgar died on spot while Raju and Baccha both fled. Though Baccha was arrested a few days after the incident, Ullu Raju managed to elude the sleuths for six years. He was arrested from a hideout in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh in 2007.

The detective department of Kolkata Police had submitted the chargesheet showing prime accused Raju as absconding and in 2005, the court had pronounced life imprisonment for Bachha. The investigating officer of the case was sub inspector Atanu Banerjee of the anti-homicide squad of KP's detective department, who is presently the assistant commissioner of the detective department.

"It was the investigating officer's diligence and perseverance that led to the arrest and finally the conviction of Raju, who had earned a name for himself in extortion and would indulge in firing at the drop of a hat," a senior official of the detective department said.

The trial of the case took a long time as Raju through his advocate had tried to produce forged documents to mislead the prosecution. He tried to submit false documents including fake passport. However, the judge was convinced finally that he was the murderer.