Underworld don Chhota Rajan has received a major blow from the Supreme Court. In the 2001 Jaya Shetty murder case, the Supreme Court issued a significant order, lifting the stay on Chhota Rajan's sentence. On Wednesday, the court cancelled the suspension of his sentence.
New Delhi: Chhota Rajan, a notorious name associated with the underworld, has suffered a major setback from the Supreme Court. In the case related to the murder of hotelier Jaya Shetty in 2001, the Supreme Court has lifted the stay on Chhota Rajan's sentence and cancelled his bail. Earlier, the Bombay High Court had suspended his life imprisonment, but now the Supreme Court has stated that adherence to the law is essential in serious offenses and the gravity of the crime cannot be ignored.
What is the case?
This case is related to the murder of hotelier Jaya Shetty in 2001. In May 2024, a special court convicted Chhota Rajan and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Following this, Chhota Rajan filed an appeal in the High Court. On October 23, 2024, the Bombay High Court suspended his sentence and granted him bail.
However, the CBI challenged this order in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, during the hearing on Wednesday, stated that considering the seriousness of the crime, the stay on the sentence is being lifted and bail is being cancelled.
What did the Supreme Court say?
During the hearing, a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta clearly stated, "If the sentence of a person convicted in four different cases is ongoing, why should relief be granted in this case?" Chhota Rajan's lawyer argued that out of 71 cases, the CBI found no evidence in 47. In response, the court said, "This case is more about the gravity of the crime than the evidence. Your name is enough." With this remark, the bench cancelled Rajan's bail and stated that no one is above the law.
Jaya Shetty Murder Case
Jaya Shetty was involved in the hotel business in Mumbai. He was shot dead in 2001. Investigations revealed that the underworld was behind this murder, and Chhota Rajan was found to be the main conspirator. Based on sufficient evidence against him, the special court had sentenced him to life imprisonment. After relief was granted by the High Court, the case reached the Supreme Court. Now, the Supreme Court has stated that granting relief, considering the seriousness of the crime, would not be appropriate.
Chhota Rajan's name is counted among India's most notorious criminals. He remained absconding for nearly 27 years and was convicted in several criminal cases, including the murder of journalist J Dey, for which he is already serving a life sentence. Although the relief granted in the Jaya Shetty murder case has now been revoked, since he is already serving sentences in other cases, he will not have to go through the process of re-arrest or surrender.
