File pic of Chhota Rajan being escorted by plain-clothed police officers for questioning in Bali, Indonesia, on Oct 29, 2015
The prosecution had argued that Rajan was the head of an “organised crime syndicate” and was punished in various cases. “He was an absconder hiding outside India for more than 20 years and was taken into custody in Indonesia…,” it had submitted. The case was first registered at Pune’s Bund Garden police station and later investigated by the state CID. Rajan’s counsel had counter-argued there was no evidence linking him to the attempted killing. Only Khan was in custody.
Four of the accused, including Rajan, had earlier got bail.
Mumbai: A special CBI court on Friday acquitted gangster Rajendra Nikhalje alias Chhota Rajan and four others, including Pune builder Surendrakumar Agarwal, of all charges related to the 2009 attempted murder of Shiv Sena leader Ajay Bhosale. Rajan (70), who was granted bail in the case last year, will remain in jail as he is serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of journalist J Dey. The special judge acquitted Rajan, Surendrakumar, Mohammad Khan, Vijay Tambat and Rajesh Yadav for offences punishable under Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, alongside Sections 25 and 27 of the Indian Arms Act.