HC reserves order on bail plea of Chhota Rajan's wife

Mumbai, Aug 19 (UNI) Bombay High Court reserved for orders, the appeal for bail of Chhota Rajan's wife Sujata Nikhalje, as the arguments concluded today.

Justice S C Dharmadhikari was hearing the petition that had earlier been rejected twice by the speical MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) court and came in for appeal before this bench.

Nikhalje, who was arrested on December 14 last year, was charged with accompanying her husband in an extortion case and affiliating with his organised crime syndicate.

She not only collected the extortion money on behalf of her husband but also tried to secure a building contract from a society in Chembur, after Rajan's gang had threatened the builder selected by them, Chief Public Prosecutor Satish Borulkar contended.

But, defence lawyer Shirish Gupte pointed out that the collection of money was done without knowledge of it being for extortion. Also, the construction deal she tried to strike was only a business move.

However, the prosecution alleged that even though she may have tried to strike a good deal, it could be easily linked to her husband threatening the same builder, for the same society.

Also, there was the statement of a witness testifying that he had been recruited in Rajan's gang through Sujata.

Mr Borulkar also argued that if not for recieving the money, she could still be convicted for being a member of the organised crime syndicate and actively participating in the operations of the gang.

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