Rajan unlikely to be deported today due to airport closure

Bali, Nov 4: Underworld don Chhota Rajan is unlikely to be deported today as Indonesia extended the closure of an international airport on popular resort island till tomorrow due to the spewing of volcanic ash from a nearby mountain.

Rajan, 55, was to be taken to India by a special aircraft last night but it was deferred till today due to the volcanic eruption.

He continued to be in detention in Denpasar. Local authorities had closed the Ngurah Rai International Airport here late yesterday due to a large ash cloud drifting from Mount Rinjani, an active volcano on the nearby island.

It is expected that Rajan, who was arrested in this popular tourist town on his arrival from Australia on October 25, would be deported tomorrow if conditions allow, sources said.

The Indian agencies were keen that the deportation takes place at the earliest and had put in a request to Indonesian authorities on Sunday itself, sources said.

Formalities for deportation have been almost completed, they said. Rajan, whose real name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, was wanted in India for several years and was arrested following a tip off from Australian authorities.

An Indian Police team, which arrived here on Sunday, has completed all formalities for taking custody of Rajan and flying him to India, where he is one of the most wanted criminals. Rajan is wanted in over 75 heinous crimes ranging from murder, extortion to smuggling and drug trafficking.

Rajan was arrested in Bali on the basis of a Red Corner Notice from Interpol and following a tip off by Australian authorities to the police in Indonesia.

In 2000, there was an attempt on Rajan's life when his arch rival and India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim's men tracked him down to a hotel in Bangkok but he managed a dramatic escape. In the absence of an extradition treaty, the Indian authorities have already provided documents to their Indonesian counterparts about his Indian identity to facilitate his deportation.

PTI