In a surprising turn of events, the Bombay High Court has granted bail to gangster Chhota Rajan in the 2001 murder case of hotelier Jaya Shetty. However, Rajan's freedom remains elusive, as he continues to serve a life sentence for the murder of journalist J Dey and faces other criminal charges.
The High Court, while suspending Rajan's life sentence in the Shetty murder case, ordered him to furnish a bond of ₹1 lakh for the bail. This decision comes after Rajan appealed his conviction and life sentence handed down by a special court in May of this year.
Shetty murder case
Jaya Shetty, the owner of the Golden Crown hotel in Mumbai, was fatally shot in 2001, allegedly by members of Chhota Rajan's gang. The investigation revealed that Shetty had been receiving extortion calls from a gang member and was killed for failing to comply with their demands.
The legal battle
Rajan, already serving a life sentence for the murder of veteran crime reporter J Dey in 2011, is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in Delhi. He faces numerous other criminal charges, including extortion, attempted murder, and violations of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
The granting of bail in the Shetty murder case, while a significant development, does not mean Rajan will walk free. He remains in custody, facing a complex legal battle as he continues to fight the charges against him.
