Don Chhota Rajan held; may be deported

TNS & Agencies

New Delhi/Jakarta, Oct 26

Underworld don Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhalje alias Chhota Rajan, who is wanted in several cases of murders in India, has been arrested by the Indonesian police in Bali, CBI officials said today.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh too confirmed the arrest, calling it a “major success”. Acting on a tip-off from the Australian police, Indonesian authorities detained the fugitive yesterday as he arrived in the popular resort island of Bali from Sydney, Bali police spokesman Heri Wiyanto said.

"We arrested the man at the airport yesterday. What we know is that this man was suspected to have carried out 15 to 20 murders in India," Wiyanto said, adding it was likely Nikalje would be deported to India.

A spokesperson for Australian Federal Police said Interpol in Canberra had alerted Indonesian authorities "who apprehended Nikalje at the request of Indian authorities".

CBI director Anil Kumar Sinha said Rajan operated from Mumbai and was wanted for a series of serious crimes and murders.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said: “The Indian government had been trying to nab Rajan for long and had also made a request to the Interpol. We had issued a notice (through the Interpol).”

Asked when Rajan would be brought to India, Rajnath said the CBI and other agencies were in touch with Indonesian authorities and “things were being worked out”. He, however, did not give any timeframe.

On whether 1993 Mumbai blasts accused Dawood Ibrahim would be the next target, Singh said, “Let’s see what happens in the future.”