Chhota Rajan’s mother dies, cops monitor last rites
There were around 1,000 visitors at the funeral, including Chandrakant Handore (Congress), Milind Kamble (NCP), Sanjay Dina Patil (Congress) and Sumna Rao Gaikwad (RPI).
3 min read
Santoshee Gulabkali
Laxmibai Nikhalje (85), mother of wanted gangster Rajendra Nikhalje alias Chhota Rajan, spent her last few months asking for her fugitive son. She passed away at Joy Hospital in Chembur on Wednesday morning of after prolonged illness. Her funeral was held at the Hindu Crematorium in Ghatkopar with her close family, including her second son Deepak Nikhalje, and several political figures in attendance. The funeral was closely monitored by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, sources confirmed.
A family member said, “After suffering a paralytic attack in 2000, she had been bedridden. She frequently failed to identify visitors and asked them, ‘Majha Raju aala ka? Tu Raju aahes? (Has my Raju come?, Are you Raju?)’. We informed Dada (Chhota Rajan) about her demise, but he cannot come for her last rites for reasons known to everyone.” The funeral procession began from Laxmibai’s residence in Chembur. Shops in the area were shut. The last rites were performed in keeping with the traditions of Buddhism.
There were around 1,000 visitors at the funeral, including Chandrakant Handore (Congress), Milind Kamble (NCP), Sanjay Dina Patil (Congress) and Sumna Rao Gaikwad (RPI).
Party leader and MP Ramdas Athvale gave the funeral service a miss. Sources claimed that Athvale was busy at a meeting in Pandhurpur, Solapur district, so could not attend the funeral.
Meanwhile, Crime Branch sources said they had been keeping a close eye out for any movement from Chhota Rajan for the past six months. “Laxmibai suffered a stroke six months ago and had been admitted to the hospital often. We had been keeping a watch on the developments, in case there was any contact from Rajan, and also had the funeral under close observation on Wednesday,” said a senior Crime Branch officer.
The police have instructed their informants in the area to be on the lookout for any possibility of Rajan visiting Mumbai.
Airports are already being monitored in case he tries to slip in using a passport with a fake name and a close watch will be kept on the family during the 13-day mourning period, sources said.
Laximbai, wife of Sadashiv Nikalje, hailed from Girvi village in Satara ditsrict. Sadashiv worked at the Mumbai Port Trust.
Deepak said, “ My mother had been bedridden for the past few years. On Tuesday night, we took her to Joy Hospital in Chembur, but after midnight she died.”
Sangram, a relative of Chhota Rajan hailing from Satara district, said, “She worked really hard to raise her children. After having diagnosed with major ailments, Laxmibai stopped visiting Girvi village. The family built a bungalow in the village, and they own around 12 acres of land.”
Sources claimed that Laxmibai desired to see her kachha ghar converted into a pucca ghar, and when Chhota Rajan was informed about it, he spent around Rs 6 crore on it.
santoshee.mishra@expressindia.com
gautam.mengle@expressindia.com
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