A Delhi court has ordered the Maharashtra government to arrange a video conference trial from Tihar jail for underworld don Chhota Rajan in the J Dey murder case which is being tried in the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court in Mumbai.
Special CBI Judge Vinod Kumar said this after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the court that there was a “serious life threat” to Rajan from various underworld mafia groups.
The court also added that intelligence inputs have been received in this regard, making his physical presence in the court a potential threat to his life.
The agency said this in its reply filed on an application moved by the superintendent of Tihar Jail, where Rajan is currently lodged under judicial custody in an alleged fake passport case.
In his plea, the jail superintendent said a production warrant was issued by the MCOCA court at Arthur Road prison premises in Mumbai for his production before it on Thursday.
During the hearing on the plea, Rajan, who was already produced through video conferencing, submitted that he was likely to be killed by his rivals if he is sent to Mumbai.
Court OrderI have considered all facts and circumstances and I am of the opinion that physical production of the accused before the MCOC Court is not feasible at this stage. However, CBI is directed to request the State of Maharashtra to arrange production of the accused before the said court concerned through video conferencing.
The case in which production warrant was issued was lodged against Rajan and others in 2011 under various sections of IPC, including 302 (murder), the Arms Act, the Mumbai Police Act and under the provisions of MCOCA.
(With inputs from PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)