Underworld don Chota Rajan reluctant to go to Mumbai

New Delhi, Nov 21: Underworld don Chota Rajan lodged in high security Tihar prison complex has expressed his "unwillingness" to go to Mumbai to face cases against him, sources in jail said.

"Rajan was quite comfortable in the jail since he was brought here last evening. He, however, expressed unwillingness to go to Mumbai," a jail staff said on condition of anonymity.

Deported from Indonesia after being on the run for 27 years, the 55-year-old gangster, whose real name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, was remanded to CBI custody in connection with alleged fake passport case.

Rajan was on Thursday brought to the Tihar jail after being sent to 14 days judicial custody by court as CBI decided to take over all the 71 cases registered by Maharashtra Police against him. Sources said that the don was "quite normal" in the jail and had the food and his medicines without any complaints.

He was also taken out of his cell for a stroll amid tight security and watch by dozen of staff and jail officials. Having spent around 24 hours in his cell of high security jail number 2, he casually interacted with those watching over him, sources said.

The jail authorities have further fortified his security inside the jail by erecting two watch towers to keep a hawk eye on any unwanted movements between the jails, said the jail staff.

The jail staff have been directed to minutely screen the area and maintain maximum security in view of Chota Rajan's presence in the jail. A team of 10 head warders, 10 warders, one deputy superintendent and two assistant superintendents has been drawn for the purpose from different jails, he said.

The ITBP and CRPF, which take care of the security of the outer periphery of the prison complex, have increased their surveillance to ensure that nothing is smuggled to him on the premises. Rajan has furnished the names of his wife and a friend in Mumbai in his visitors' list, he added.

PTI