Court asks CBI to let Chhota Rajan's sisters meet him

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court today directed the CBI to consider the plea of underworld don Chhota Rajan's sisters, who sought its permission to meet their brother currently in the probe agency's custody, on the occasion of 'Bhai Dooj', saying they have not met him for the past 27 years and wanted to bless him.

During the hearing which took place at the residence of Special CBI Judge Vinod Kumar, the court asked Sunita Sakkharam Chavan and her elder sister Malini Sakpal to approach CBI's investigating officer with their application.

Advocate Rajiv Jai, who appeared on behalf of Rajan's sisters, said the court has asked the IO to consider the plea keeping in view the security concerns.

In an application moved before the court, Rajan's sisters sought permission to meet the underworld don on compassionate grounds.

"The applicants pray that the applicant Sunita Sakkharam Chavan and her elder sister Malini Sakpal may be allowed to meet their brother. That the applicants are physically unfit and may be escorted by their son-in-law Anil Menon for help," their application said.

Both the sisters in their application said they would not hinder the probe and abide by any condition imposed by the court.

"Allow the applicant Sunita Sakkharam Chavan and her elder sister Malini Sakpal along with their son in law Anil Menon (for help) to meet their brother Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje alias Chhota Rajan who is in police custody (CBI) for ten days since November 7, 2015; on compassionate grounds and allow them to follow rituals of Bhai Dooj subject to any conditions which the court may deem fit and proper in circumstances," the plea said.

After being on the run for the past 27 years, underworld don Chhota Rajan was brought to India from Indonesia on November 6 by a joint team headed by CBI officials to face trial in various criminal cases registered against him in Delhi and Mumbai.

On November 7, CBI had got 10 days custody of Chhota Rajan in connection with an alleged fake passport case registered by the agency on October 31, shortly before its team left for Indonesia to deport him back from Indonesia.