Four Convictions, Abscondence Of 27 Years: Supreme Court Cancels Bail Of Chota Rajan In 2001 Hotelier Jaya Shetty Murder Case

Today, the Supreme Court of India, while hearing an SLP filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation challenging the order of the High Court of Bombay, cancelled the bail of Chota Rajan in the 2001 case for the murder of hotelier Jaya Shetty. 

Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, also known as Chhota Rajan, was convicted for being involved in the 2001 murder of hotelier Jaya Shetty, under stringent provisions of Sections 3(1) (i), 3(2) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act, 1999 (MCOC Act) and also Sections 302 and 120B of the IPC.

The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta heard the matter and orally remarked, "Four convictions, why suspension of sentence for such a man?"

ASG S.V Raju, appearing on behalf of CBI, submitted that the matter was with reference to suspension of the sentence of Chota Rajan by the Bombay High Court.

"First ground is the manager is not examined, but the person who recorded the conversation has been examined", Raju submitted.

Justice Mehta asked whether Rajan was convicted in two more cases of murder.

Senior Advocate Sudeep Pasbola, appearing on behalf of Chota Rajan, submitted that in one more murder case, Chota Rajan was convicted. Pasbola also informed the Court that bail has not been applied in the other case.

"We will cancel the bail in this case also", Justice Nath remarked.

Pasbola urged that the case against Chota Rajan was "a case of no evidence." To which Justice Mehta said that all acquittals in earlier cases against him were granted only because witnesses did not come forward.

Pasbola vehemently denied and said, "In 47 out of 72 cases, CBI did not find any material against me. They have closed those cases...I have been convicted in four other cases."

Upon which, Justice Mehta remarked, "Four convictions, why suspension of sentence for such a man?...There had been abscondence of 27 years."

Pasbola continued to submit; however, the Bench recorded in its order that Chota Rajan was already in custody in another matter and is serving his sentence and cancelled his bail. 

Background

In 2024, the Bombay High Court suspended Chhota Rajan’s sentence after observing that the prosecution unsuccessfully attempted to establish his role as a “notorious don.”

“Order of suspension of execution of sentence has to be reasoned. Having carefully considered all the relevant aspects and also looking to the fact that the appeal may not be heard in near future, we are of the considered view that the applicant deserves to be released on bail by suspending execution of the sentence/s pending the appeal. There is sufficient material on record warranting suspension of execution of sentence and releasing the applicant on bail, pending the appeal,” the Bombay High Court held.

Cause Title: Central Bureau of Investigation V. Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje @ Chhota Rajan @ Nana Sheth @ Sir (Diary No. 5707-2025II-A)