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Chhota Rajan refuses to identify attackers, gets bail
Underworld don Chhota Rajan got bail in the immigration law case, but refused to identify the attackers on Thursday in a court proceeding in Bangkok. He was injured in a shootout by a rival gang members in Bangkok more than ten days back.
Underworld don Chhota Rajan who was injured in a shootout by a rival gang members in Bangkok more
than ten days back, got bail in the immigration law case but refused to identify the alleged attackers as he testified before a court in Bangkok on Thursday.
The pale-looking Rajan, who has entered Thailand as Vijay Daman, was brought to the southern Bangkok criminal court on a stretcher hooked onto glucose bottles with heavily-armed security-men forming a ring around him.
The Mumbai underworld don was injured when assailants belonging to the rival Dawood Ibrahim gang barged into an apartment of Indian jeweller Michael D` Souza identified as Rohit Verma on September 15 and opened fire. D`souza was killed in the shootout while his wife Sangeeta Sharma was injured. Four persons -- three Pakistanis and a Thai national -- have been arrested in connection with the incident.
During his two-hour testimony and interrogation, Rajan told the court that everything happened so fast that he could not see any attacker, a lawyer said. Sangeeta, who also testified, identified one of the attackers.
The victims told the court what happened that night, but they refused to say why they were attacked, said the lawyer.
After testifying as witness, Rajan was taken in ambulance to another court for his charge-sheeting for violation of immigration laws to detain him for a few more days. The authorities have found that Rajan, who had entered the country under the name Vijay Daman, filed a false statement while requesting to change his tourist visa to a business visa. The offence carries six months` imprisonment or a fine.
The Mumbai underworld don was injured when assailants belonging to the rival Dawood Ibrahim gang barged into an apartment of Indian jeweller Michael D` Souza identified as Rohit Verma on September 15 and opened fire. D`souza was killed in the shootout while his wife Sangeeta Sharma was injured. Four persons -- three Pakistanis and a Thai national -- have been arrested in connection with the incident.
During his two-hour testimony and interrogation, Rajan told the court that everything happened so fast that he could not see any attacker, a lawyer said. Sangeeta, who also testified, identified one of the attackers.
The victims told the court what happened that night, but they refused to say why they were attacked, said the lawyer.
After testifying as witness, Rajan was taken in ambulance to another court for his charge-sheeting for violation of immigration laws to detain him for a few more days. The authorities have found that Rajan, who had entered the country under the name Vijay Daman, filed a false statement while requesting to change his tourist visa to a business visa. The offence carries six months` imprisonment or a fine.
One of the arrested attackers has said Karachi-based underworld don Dawood Ibrahim had sent them to kill Rajan, Ibrahim`s former associate-turned-rival.
As the court proceedings began, a top Thai police
official Gen Chakthib told PTI the authorities were still awaiting a formal request from India on Rajan`s exradition.
Bureau Report