Aastha Pareek
On October 23, the Bombay High Court suspended the life sentence of notorious gangster Chhota Rajan, granting him bail on medical grounds. A Division Bench comprising Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice S.V. Kotwal made the decision after considering Rajan’s deteriorating health and alleged procedural lapses during his trial.
Rajan, a former associate of Dawood Ibrahim, was arrested in Indonesia in 2015 and extradited to India, where he faced multiple charges related to his involvement in organized crime. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018 for multiple charges, including murder, extortion, and conspiracy, appealed to the court for relief. His counsel argued that the year-old Rajan, suffering from severe health conditions, was unable to receive adequate medical treatment in prison. The defense also pointed out flaws in the investigation and trial process that had contributed to his conviction.
The court, while granting bail, imposed several conditions. Rajan must surrender his passport, attend the local police station regularly, and cannot leave the country without express permission from the court. Failure to comply with these conditions could result in the revocation of bail.
The detailed reasoning behind the suspension of his life sentence is expected to be outlined in the forthcoming court order, with legal experts closely watching the implications of this decision on pending cases against him.