Chhota Rajan acquitted in 2011 Pakmodia firing case
Two men fired outside the house of Dawood’s brother, killing his driver
2 min read
After Rajan’s extradition from Indonesia, he was made to face trial in the case (Archives)Gangster Chhota Rajan was acquitted in the 2011 Pakmodia firing case, where two gunmen fired outside the house of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s brother, Iqbal Kaskar, killing his driver.
Rajan alias Rajendra Nikalje, who is lodged in Tihar Central jail in Delhi, was cleared of charges including murder, common intent of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant sections of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
The incident took place on May 17, 2011, when two gunmen fired in front of Dambarwala building at Pakmodia street in South Mumbai. The firing led to the death of Kaskar’s driver Arif Syed.
The CBI claimed that Rajan was linked to the murder and that its motive was to establish the gangster’s supremacy over the rival Dawood Ibrahim gang, by committing the murder in front of the residence of his brother, Kaskar. In 2015, the special court acquitted four and convicted three for the murder. Rajan was then named a wanted accused.
After Rajan’s extradition from Indonesia, he was made to face trial in the case. The CBI submitted that Rajan’s involvement in the case was proven through an interview that the gangster allegedly gave a news channel, claiming responsibility. Rajan’s lawyers submitted that there was no evidence to show that the men arrested in the case were linked to him. They also referred to the previous judgment where the court decided on the previous set of accused.
The court then said it cannot be said that the driver killed was a member of the Dawood Ibrahim gang and hence it cannot be said that the incident was one of organised crime.
While Rajan has been acquitted in a few cases, he remains behind bars serving life imprisonment for the murder of journalist J Dey in 2011.
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