J Dey case: Rajan produced before court via video link

Deported gangster Chhota Rajan was on Thursday produced before a special MCOCA court here via video conference from the Tihar Jail in connection with journalist J Dey’s murder in 2011. Special Judge AL Pansare, on December 22, 2015, had issued a production warrant against the 54-year-old gangster asking him to appear before it on January 7.

When asked to spell out his name, Rajan told the judge, “My name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje”. Judge Pansare then explained the J Dey case to him and later took him into custody. The entire conversation between Rajan and the judge went on in Marathi.

“The court told him that the next date of the case is January 19, when charges will be framed against him,” said Special Public Prosecutor Dileep Shah. Rajan also told the court that he doesn’t have any lawyer in Mumbai and is looking for one.

Earlier in the day, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) produced an order from a Delhi court, which had directed the Tihar authorities to produce Rajan via video link here. “Rajan had moved an application in a Delhi court, saying that he may not be sent to Mumbai as there is threat to his life,” said a CBI official.

The CBI also sought the court’s permission to carry out further probe in the case, which was allowed. However, Judge Pansare asked the CBI counsel that since the Bombay high court has expedited the case, “is it not advisable to approach the HC and get an appropriate modified order.”

The judge also reprimanded the Mumbai Police for not serving the copy of the chargesheet to Rajan. “Why not yet ? What are you waiting for....why are you waiting for an order for everything ?” the judge said.

Later, he passed an order directing the police to serve the copy of chargesheet.

Rajan, a former aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested at the Bali airport on October 25 last year.