Chhota Rajan granted bail by Bombay High Court in 2001 Jaya Shetty murder case

In a significant legal development, the Bombay High Court granted bail to gangster Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, popularly known as Chhota Rajan, on Wednesday in connection with the 2001 Jaya Shetty murder case. This decision comes after Rajan was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment earlier this year for his involvement in the crime. The divisional bench, comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan, set the bail amount at ₹1 lakh.

Previous Acquittal and Ongoing Trials

While the court has granted bail in the Jaya Shetty case, Chhota Rajan is not expected to be released from custody immediately. He is currently facing trial in multiple cases across various cities. Earlier, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court acquitted him of orchestrating the murder of Dr. Datta Samant, a prominent Mumbai trade union leader who was shot dead in 1997. The court's acquittal was based on a lack of compelling evidence linking Rajan to the conspiracy. "In this case, no incriminating evidence has come on record against the accused in respect of conspiracy to commit the murder of Dr. Datta Samant," the court stated.

Dr. Samant was fatally shot by four assailants on January 16, 1997, while traveling in his jeep from Powai to Ghatkopar. Although three individuals were convicted for their roles in the murder in 2000, Rajan was listed among the wanted suspects. His capture came in 2015 when he was arrested in Indonesia and subsequently extradited to Mumbai, where all pending cases against him were transferred to the CBI.

As the legal proceedings continue, Chhota Rajan's future remains uncertain amid ongoing trials and potential additional charges.