A special court on Monday granted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) “one last chance” in the murder of journalist J Dey in 2011.
While granting more time, Special Judge S.S. Adkar said that this is the “one last opportunity” given to the agency and if it fails to produce new evidence on record on the next occasion, the court will proceed in framing of charges against the gangster.
After Special Public Prosecutor Bharat Badami requested for granting 10 more days, the matter got adjourned till August 5.
The court in its order recorded, “If for some unforeseen reason supplementary charge sheet is not filed, the charges against the accused (Rajan) will be framed based on the material taken on record.”
Mr. Badami told the judge that during the course of investigation fresh evidence has been found against an accused and that he needs more time to file the supplementary charge sheet. He also sought more time as a fresh sanction was required to prosecute gangster Chhota Rajan as per prescribed criminal procedures. He said that the day he gets the sanction, the agency will file the charge sheet, adding that the CBI is working on it and it is reflected in the case diary.
After the court questioned Mr. Badami on the delay in filing the supplementary charge sheet which was scheduled for Monday, he said that he did not want to file it in a hasty manner and be answerable on it later. He went on to say that after Rajan’s arrest they have collected tremendous evidence.
Chhota Rajan alias Rajendra Sadahiv Nikalje’s was arrested in October 2015, in Bali. He was brought to India a month later. On December 8, Judge A.L. Pansare said that the Bombay High Court has ordered the J Dey case to be expedited and the trial was slated to begin on December 17 on a daily basis.
The 54-year-old gangster is currently lodged at the Arthur Road jail and was virtually present in court through video conferencing. He is facing around 71 cases in Maharashtra, which includes the J Dey murder case. Dey was shot dead in Powai in 2011, allegedly at Rajan’s behest and 12 persons are standing trial in the case.
