‘93 Mumbai Blasts: CBI Files Case Against Chhota Rajan For Murder

The CBI has filed a case against Chhota Rajan for the murder of Hanif Kadawala, a‘93 Mumbai blasts case accused.

Chhota Rajan being taken away by Bali police. (Photo: PTI)

The CBI has taken over the probe into the murder of Hanif Kadawala, an accused in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, who also gave an AK-56 rifle to actor Sanjay Dutt. It has registered a case against gangster Chhota Rajan and his accomplices in this regard on Sunday.

“The agency has taken over the probe into Kadawala’s murder,” CBI spokesperson RK Gaur said. Sources said the investigating agency took over probe after a reference from the Maharashtra government in this regard. As per norms, the agency starts its probe from the FIR registered by the state police.

They said a case has been registered against Chhota Rajan, his gang member Guru Satam and others under relevant sections of the IPC and Arms Act in connection with Kadawala’s murder.

Flashback: 1993 Serial Blasts

Kadawala, who transported weapons to Mumbai (then Bombay) on the instructions of Tiger Memon, which were used in the 1993 serial blasts, was killed on 7 February 2001 in his office by three men. Mumbai Police suspected that the killing was a handiwork of Rajan after the 12 blasts that had left 257 dead and more than 700 injured.

Rajan, once considered a henchman of Dawood, parted ways with him after the blasts. It was alleged that Kadawala along with another accomplice had hidden the consignment of weapons used in the blasts in the garage of Sanjay Dutt’s house. The actor had, however, denied any knowledge of conspiracy of blasts and was acquitted from charges under TADA in the case.

Sanjay Dutt was charged under the Arms act in 2006. (Photo: Reuters)

In 2001, it was alleged that a person introducing himself as Yusuf repeatedly sought an appointment with Kadawala regarding a deal. On 7 February, 2001, three persons allegedly entered his office at Bandra (West) in Mumbai where two of his employees were also present. After a brief discussion, Kadawala was allegedly shot with a .32 revolver. He was severely injured and was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to injuries.

The sources said the agency has also initiated a probe into the murder of hotelier Jaya Shetty who was allegedly killed on 4 May 2001 by the members of Chhota Rajan’s gang.

Rajan was arrested at Bali airport in Indonesia on 25 October last year and was deported to India. He is an accused in around 70 cases in Maharashtra, including the 2011 J Dey murder case.

Also Read: CBI Claims Chhota Rajan Confessed to Have Killed Reporter J Dey