Chhota Rajan, who faces over 70 cases of murder, extortion and drug trafficking just in Mumbai, was arrested on October 25
Most-wanted gangster Chhota Rajan's deportation from Indonesia's Bali has been delayed as the airport will remain closed due to a
volcanic eruption in the resort island.
The Ngurah Rai International Airport was temporarily shut down on Tuesday and all flights were grounded, officials said. The airport will remain shut till 6:15 am, November 5.
Rajan, who was arrested in Bali last week, was to be brought back to India tonight. A volcanic eruption at Mount Rinjani near the island had disrupted flights but sources said attempts were being made to put Rajan on flight to India.
The Mumbai Police has said that Rajan will be taken to Delhi and will be in the CBI's custody. Earlier, there was confusion over where he would be taken first amid reports that security agencies were not comfortable with the Mumbai Police handling the case.
Rajan alleged this morning that "some in the
Mumbai Police" have links with underworld don and terrorist Dawood Ibrahim.
"The Mumbai Police has done a lot of 'atyachar' (atrocities) on me...the government should look into that. Some in the Mumbai Police are mixed up with Dawood," Rajan, in orange prison uniform and cuffs, said to Indian reporters in Bali's Denpasar.
Asked whether he would feel safer in Delhi, Rajan replied: "I am not afraid of Dawood. All my life I have fought against terror and will keep fighting against Dawood and terror."
He added: "I will go wherever the government will take me. I just want justice."
The Mumbai Police has refused to react to Rajan's allegations, calling them the claims of a fugitive.
Rajan is likely to be arrested by the CBI for using a fake passport.
The 55-year-old gangster, who faces over 70 cases of murder, extortion and drug trafficking just in Mumbai, was arrested on October 25 as he stepped off a flight from Sydney using an assumed name "Mohan Kumar".
Reports have suggested that Rajan's arrest was a part of his secret deal with Indian security agencies at a time his network has been greatly weakened and the ever-present threat from Dawood Ibrahim refuses to go away.
Rajan and Dawood were close aides until they fell out after the 1993 Mumbai blasts, which Dawood was accused of masterminding. Since then, there have been several attempts on Rajan's life by Dawood's gang-members.
Dawood Ibrahim is believed to be in Pakistan's Karachi, where his security was allegedly increased after Rajan's arrest.