A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court acquitted gangster Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, commonly known as Chhota Rajan, who had been accused of masterminding the high-profile murder of Dr. Datta Samant, a prominent trade union leader in Mumbai. Dr. Samant was brutally shot dead on Padmavati Road on January 16, 1997, while traveling from Powai to Ghatkopar in his jeep. The murder case had gained widespread attention due to the stature and influence of the victim.
Although Chhota Rajan has been cleared of the charges related to Dr. Samant’s murder, his release from jail is not imminent. This is because he is still facing trial in multiple other cases in different cities. Consequently, he will continue to remain in custody until those trials are concluded or he is acquitted in those cases as well.
The court’s decision to acquit Chhota Rajan was based on the lack of compelling evidence against him in connection with the conspiracy to commit the murder of Dr. Datta Samant. Despite being named as one of the wanted accused in the case, it appears that the prosecution failed to present sufficient incriminating evidence to establish his involvement in the murder conspiracy.
It’s worth noting that three other individuals had previously been convicted for the murder back in 2000. Rajan’s name emerged as a key suspect, and he was eventually arrested in 2015 in Indonesia before being extradited to Mumbai. Subsequently, all the cases against him were transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is known for handling complex and high-profile cases.
While the acquittal in the Dr. Datta Samant murder case is a significant legal development for Chhota Rajan, he still faces legal challenges due to his involvement in other criminal cases. Until those matters are resolved, he will remain in custody, awaiting further legal proceedings.
