J Dey murder case: CBI gets nod to interrogate Chhota Rajan for 10 days

Gangster Chhota Rajan will be interrogated by the Central Bureau of Investigation for ten days in connection with the 2011 journalist J. Dey murder case. A Mumbai court gave CBI the permission to interrogate the gangster and his hearing has been adjourned till February 5.

Former journalist S. Balakrishnan, who is associated with NGO Desh Sabha Samiti and participating in the bidding of a property of Dawood Ibrahim, backed the development and expressed confidence that the truth will prevail.

"It's a very good development that the enquiry is being handed over to CBI. We had filed a PIL requesting for the same in Bombay High Court and at that time it was dismissed," Balakrishnan said.

"He was a good friend of mine, I used to respect Jayde. I was shocked by the way he was murdered and why it happened is still undisclosed," he added.

Rajan, a former key aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested at Bali airport in Indonesia on October 25 after he arrived from Australia, and was later deported to India.

He is facing around 70 cases in Maharashtra, which includes the J Dey murder case.

Dey, a veteran crime reporter, was shot dead in Powai by motorcycle-borne shooters on June 11, 2011 allegedly at the command of Rajan.

Four persons on two bikes fired at Dey, who was also riding a bike. After the attack, he was rushed to nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead.

The first chargesheet in 2011 names arrested accused Satiah Kaliya, Abhijeet Shinde, Arun Dake, Sachin Gaikwad, Anil Waghmode, Nilesh Shendge, Mangesh Agawane, Vinod Asrani, Paulson Joseph and Deepak Sisodia.

Rajan was allegedly upset with two articles written by Dey and therefore ordered his killing. Vora allegedly instigated him, owing to her own professional rivalry with Dey.

ANI