Underworld tremors as Satam breaks away from Chhota Rajan gang

The split in the gang appears to a fallout of the attempt on Chhota Rajan’s life at Bangkok on September 15 last year. It is now suspected that Satam was close to Ashok Shetty alias Kathau, who tipped off Chhota Shakeel’s shooters about Rajan’s whereabouts in Bangkok.

Though exact details of the spit are still not clear, it now appears that Satam was in Uganda at the time of the incident and not near Bangkok as reported earlier, raising suspicion in the gang hierarchy. Also, it was Satam’s nemesis Rohit Verma who was was killed in the attack on 26 th Sukumbit Soi, where Rajan too was holed up.

Crime branch officers, requesting anonymity, confirmed that though differences had cropped up after the shootout at Bangkok, the split took place in the last fortninght. One of the main reasons is that slain gangster Rohit Verma and Satam were feuding for quite some time.

However, neither Rajan’s henchmen nor Satam’s associates in central Mumbai are anxious for the split to be made public. They fear this could hamper their gang activities in the city.

Police officers of course look on the split as a blessing in disguise as it is easier to tackle splinter groups than an organised gang.

Underworld sources believe that the split in the gang could change the underworld equation in the city. While Satam could be operating on his own in areas like Parel-Lalbaug and some pockets in central Mumbai, some other factions may decide to join hands with Rajan.

There are reports that Satam’s arch rival Suresh Manchekar may link up with Rajan’s men to corner the lion’s share of income from the underworld. Arun Gawli, who hitherto kept a neutral position, may also join hands with his former ally.

Satam had earlier crossed swords with Gawli and Manchekar over distribution of extortion money in central Mumbai. There were bitter disputes about the money being received from units pf the Kardar garage near KEM hospital.

On the other hand Satam and his followers from Parel and the adjoining areas could well join hands with Rajan’s rival Chhota Shakeel. Satam is known to be close to Ashok Shetty, who is linked with Sharad Shetty, a Dawood Ibrahim henchman.

In fact, it was Sharad Shetty who through Chembur hotelier Vinod Shetty contacted Ashok Shetty to trace Chhota Rajan and his hideouts in Bangkok. Vinod and two other friends were gunned down near Panvel as an immediate fallout of the Bangkok shootout.

Some of Satam’s trusted men have been identified as Andheri-based shooter Ravi Pujari and Matrappa Rai, operating from near Mangalore. The Parel-based gangster shot into limelight after killing local politician Vittal Chavan.