Another gangster ‘lords over’ Arthur Road jail

• 10.30 am: Breakfast of milk, biscuits, poha/upma/idli

• 11 am: Meet visitors

• 1-1.30 pm: Home cooked lunch

• 2-4 pm: Siesta

• 4 pm: Sugarfree coffee

• 4.30-6 pm: Meetings

• 6 pm: Back to cell

For Chhota Rajan aide and gangster D K Rao, life is fairly uncomplicated. Inside the high-security Arthur Road Jail, in addition to his daily massage, home cooked meals and sugar-free beverages, he gets ample time in the evenings to meet his associates and keep a tab on his operations that, the police believe, range from contract killings to extortion.

Details of Rao’s good life in cell No 3 of the jail’s “Anda Cell” came to light after a Mumbai police crime branch team arrested one of his key hitmen, Ganesh Bikhaji Sawant (alias Sonu), from near the Arthur Road Jail moments after he came out of a meeting with his boss inside.

The police believe Rao had “assigned” him a contract killing of a builder. A revolver loaded with 3 rounds was also recovered from him.

“We have arrested Sawant who had been told by someone to meet Rao and carry out an operation in Mumbai. We cannot reveal who that person is… nor would we like to disclose what was Sawant up to,” said Mumbai police crime branch DCP (Detection) Dhananjay Kamlakar. During questioning, Sawant spoke in great detail about Rao’s daily routine and the manner in which he conducts his operations from inside the jail. For instance, whenever Rao moves out of his cell, he is escorted by four of Rajan’s shooters—Satish Kaliya, Vishnu Korgaonkar, Pravin and Gautam. Sawant was recruited by Satish Kaliya.

Addressed by his bodyguards and other Rajan gang members inside the jail as “Bhai Vitthalla,” Rao enjoys immense clout inside the jail premises—so much so that even Rajan’s elder brother, Prakash Nikhalje, is respectful towards him.

Rao, who has already served a 10-year-term for allegedly attacking a police party in Dadar in 1996 and is now on trial in two other MCOCA cases, looks after his gang well. While his battery of lawyers deal with the legal aspects of their detention, he ensures life inside the jail is comfortable. Despite a perennial water crisis in the barracks, Rao manages to get continuous water supply and arranges liquor, charas and cigarettes for his men. Sawant also told the police that whenever Rao is taken to court for hearing, his gang members give him a list of articles they require— including everything from medicines to clothes and food items.

Even the FM radio system, installed by the jail authorities inside the high-security prison, is operated at Rao’s behest.

Asked about Rao’s exploits in jail, Arthur Road Jail Superintendent Swati Sathe said, “He stays in the high-security prison. These details have not been brought to my notice, but if it’s true, we will take action.”