UP STF nabs three Chhota Rajan aides in Allahabad

Lucknow: Three alleged members of Chhota Rajan gang were arrested by Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) from George Town area in Allahabad, an official spokesman said here Tuesday.

"Indresh Kumar Singh, Mohd Saleem alias Shekhu and Ramesh Kumar Bind were arrested from George Town area last evening and fire-arms along with a jeep and motorcycle were seized from them," he said.

The spokesman said that on interrogation the arrested criminals revealed that they worked for Azad Ansari alias Ejaz, who is currently serving life term in Naini jail in a murder case.

He said that Ejaz was an active member of Chhota Rajan gang.

The spokesman said that Ejaz's uncle Anees Eda was also a member of the Rajan gang, who was killed by Dawood gang in Mumbai.

The criminals revealed that Ejaz has asked them to scare a cable operator Shetty in Bhiwandi area of Mumabi by opening fire on him so that he could be extorted.

The accused said that they had assembled in Allahabad to finalise their plan before leaving for Mumbai.

Indresh told STF sleuths that he came into contact with Ejaz through his relative Akhilesh Guru, who was also lodged in Naini jail here.

"Since then Indresh used to look after Ejaz's operations from outside and once supplied extortion money to the latter inside the jail," the spokesman said.

Indresh revealed that after arrest of Chhota Rajan in Indonesia, Ejaz was "glad as after the don's deportation to India he could use his name for extortion and the money was to be invested in real estate," the spokesman said.

Underworld don Chhota Rajan is likely to be deported to India tonight after Indonesian police gave its nod, clearing the decks for his return home after more than two decades.

55-year-old Rajan, who was arrested in the popular tourist town of Bali on his arrival from Australia on October 25, is wanted in over 75 heinous crimes ranging from murder, extortion to smuggling and drug trafficking.

Rajan, whose original name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhalje, was arrested in Bali on the basis of a Red Corner Notice from Interpol and following a tip off by Australian authorities to the police in Indonesia.