Gangster Chhota Rajan arrested in Bali. Photo: NCB-Interpol Indonesia
New Delhi: Fugitive Chhota Rajan, wanted over a series of murders in India, has been arrested in Indonesia after decades on the run, police said on Monday.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh and CBI confirmed the arrest of underworld don Chhota Rajan in Indonesia. “Bali Police arrested Chhota Rajan yesterday at CBI’s request made through Interpol,” said CBI Director Anil Sinha.
The CBI in its official statement said, “At the request of CBI (Interpol) India, the Bali police has arrested an Indian national, Mohan Kumar on 25 October 2015. Mohan Kumar alias Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje alias Chhota Rajan is a fugitive and CBI has been pursuing the matter with Australian authorities. This is a good and close cooperation between India, Australia and Indonesia. We thank Indonesia and Australia for their prompt action at our request. Further action will be taken as required under the law.”
Acting on a tip-off from Australian police, Indonesian authorities detained Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, alias ‘Chhota Rajan’ on Sunday as he arrived in the popular resort island of Bali from Sydney, Bali police spokesman Heri Wiyanto told AFP.
The 55-year-old Nikalje, an alleged crime boss in India, had been on the run for two decades, Wiyanto said, with Interpol flagging him as a wanted man back in 1995.
“We received information from police in Canberra yesterday (Sunday) about the red notice for a murderer,” he said.
“We arrested the man at the airport yesterday. What we know is that this man was suspected to have carried out 15 to 20 murders in India.”
Bali police were coordinating with Interpol and Indian authorities, Wiyanto said, adding it was likely Nikalje would be deported to India.
A spokesperson for Australian Federal Police said Interpol in Canberra had alerted Indonesian authorities “who apprehended Nikalje at the request of Indian authorities”.
The federal police confirmed last month that Nikalje was living in Australia under another identity and had been in discussions with Indian authorities, the spokesperson said, but would not provide further details.
Interpol’s website states that Nikalje was born in Mumbai and was wanted for multiple charges including murder and possession and use of illegal firearms.
(Agencies)
