Gangster Chhota Rajan has agreed to give his voice samples before a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court on Thursday. The court also granted permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take Rajan’s voice sample in connection with the case pertaining to the murder of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey.
Rajan, who is currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail, deposed via video conferencing before judge AL Pansare. The matter has been adjourned till February 17.
Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje alias Chhota Rajan, who was brought from Indonesia after his arrest there last year, had initially consented to having his voice samples recorded but had later backtracked saying he needed to seek legal opinion.
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Earlier, the court had sought Rajan’s reply to CBI’s plea to collect the crime boss’s voice sample. CBI special public prosecutor Bharat Badami said it was “vital” to have samples of Rajan’s voice. “It would be the clinching evidence before filing the charge sheet.”
The 54-year-old gangster 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. Twelve people are standing trial in the case.