India was active on Chhota Rajan's case, post verification investigation will be taken forward: Rajnath Singh

Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed on Monday that the man arrested in Indonesia was fugitive Chhota Rajan.

Rajnath said that after verification necessary action will be taken against Chhota Rajan.

The Home Minister also thanked Interpol and Indonesian government for Rajan's arrest.

“India was active on this case, post verification investigation will be taken forward,” Rajnath said, as per ANI.

On the other hand, MoS Home Kiren Rijiju said, “There is a close coordination between India, Australia and Indonesia in this matter.”

“CBI is the nodal agency for Interpol in India. Now the further process will be taken forward by CBI,” he added.

Rajan, wanted in over a series of murders in India, was arrested in Indonesia after decades on the run.

Acting on a tip-off from Australian police, Indonesian authorities detained Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, alias 'Chhota Rajan' yesterday as he arrived in the popular resort island of Bali from Sydney, Bali police spokesman Heri Wiyanto told AFP.

"We received information from police in Canberra yesterday (Sunday) about the red notice for a murderer. 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," he added.

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.

(With Agency inputs)