New Delhi:
Arrested gangster Chhota Rajan, who will be brought back to India soon, may not be taken to Mumbai where he faces over 70 cases of murder, extortion and drug trafficking.
Top sources have told NDTV that Rajan is likely to stay with the CBI for now, which means he will be taken to Delhi first.
The 55-year-old crime boss has reportedly conveyed to Indian officials his reluctance to go to Mumbai because of threats from underworld don and terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, his former boss turned enemy.
Yesterday, Rajan had told reporters that "some in the Mumbai police" have links with 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," he said.
Sources say the government is aware of all possible threats and is looking at "ease of investigations and safety and security of Rajan".
"Instead of having Rajan move from court to court, a single court can be designated to try all his cases," said the sources.
The CBI is likely to decide the priority in which the cases will be investigated.
Rajan's deportation from Indonesia's Bali, where he was arrested on October 25, has been delayed as a volcanic eruption near the resort island has disrupted flights. The airport will remain shut till tomorrow morning.
Rajan was caught as he stepped off a flight from Sydney using a fake passport in the name of "Mohan Kumar". The fake passport is likely to be the basis for the CBI taking custody of Rajan.
Rajan was tracked down in Australia when he sought an extension of his visa in August and his details matched with a 1995 Interpol notice. Reports suggest that Rajan had been "in touch" with 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. There have been several attempts on Rajan's life by Dawood's gang-members.