Bombay High Court Suspends Life Sentence of Chhota Rajan in Hotelier Murder Case, Grants Bail

The Bombay High Court suspended the life sentence of gangster Chhota Rajan in the 2001 murder case of hotelier Jaya Shetty and granted him bail. Rajan was convicted by an MCOCA court in May 2024, but the High Court considered his appeal and health issues before suspending his sentence.

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted bail to notorious gangster Chhota Rajan, also known as Rajendra Nikalje, after suspending his life sentence in the 2001 murder case of hotelier Jaya Shetty. Rajan was convicted by a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court on May 30, 2024, and was sentenced to life imprisonment, along with several co-accused.

The case dates back to 2001 when hotelier Jaya Shetty was shot dead in Mumbai, a crime attributed to Rajan's criminal syndicate. After a lengthy trial, Rajan was found guilty of orchestrating the murder as part of his larger criminal enterprise. Following the MCOCA court’s life sentence ruling, Rajan filed an appeal with the Bombay High Court seeking relief.

In the hearing, Rajan’s defense argued for the suspension of the sentence, citing health issues and the prolonged nature of the legal proceedings. The High Court considered these factors and decided to suspend his life sentence, granting him bail. However, Rajan will still be required to comply with specific bail conditions until the final resolution of the appeal.

Also Read: Delhi Court Seeks ED Response on AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan’s Bail Plea

Rajan, who has been involved in multiple high-profile criminal cases, had been in prison since his deportation to India from Indonesia in 2015. His release on bail in this case marks a significant development in his long-standing legal battles.