J Dey Murder Case: Dey was shot multiple times by the members gang associated with Chhota Ranjan. (File)
Nearly seven years after journalist Jyotirmoy Dey was gunned down in suburban Mumbai, a Special CBI court in Mumbai convicted gangster Chhota Rajan and nine others in the case. Chhota Rajan and all the other convicts have been sentenced for life in jail. The court acquitted journalist Jigna Vora, who had been accused of instigating the murder, and Paulson Joseph, a member of Chhota Rajan's gang. There was a sensational twist to the case when police arrested Jigna Vora, then Deputy Bureau Chief of The Asian Age, Mumbai, on November 25, 2011, besides 10 others. It emerged during the probe that Jigna Vora was allegedly in regular contact with Chhota Rajan and provoked him to eliminate Mr Dey.
Mr Dey, 56, was the Editor (Investigations) of
Mid-Day eveninger, and was shot dead on June 11, 2011, near his Powai residence. The killing sent shock waves across the country. Over course, the prosecution has examined 155 witness in the case, of which around 10 are reported to have turned hostile.
Here are the highlights in the J Dey murder case verdict:
Nearly seven years after journalist Jyotirmoy Dey was gunned down in suburban Mumbai, a Special CBI court in Mumbai sentenced gangster Chhota Rajan for life in jail, news agency ANI reported.
The court is expected to announce the quantum of punishment this evening itself at 4:00 pm.
Journalist Jigna Vora broke down after the verdict in the courtroom.
Journalist Jigna Vora had denied all charges and said her calls to Chhota Rajan were professional in nature to secure an interview with him.
Who was Jyotirmoy Dey?
Jyotirmoy Dey was a senior crime reporter. He was shot dead in suburban Powai on 11th June 2011. He was on his motorbike when members of the Chotta Rajan gang fired at him from close range and fled. Mr Dey was rushed to the nearby Hiranandani Hospital where he died. The case had led to massive outrage with the then Home Minister RR Patil and then Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik rushing to the police station.
The verdict in the case was announced today by in a packed courtroom in Mumbai. Satish Kalya, Anil Waghmode, Arun Dake, Mangesh Angwane, Sachin Gaikwad, Abhijeet Shinde and Nilesh Shendge have been convicted for the crime under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Another accused, Deepak Sisodia has been convicted under the Arms Act.
Journalist Jigna Vora and Paulson Joseph were acquitted due to lack of evidence and the prosecution's failure to prove the case against them beyond reasonable doubt.
A sum of Rs. 500,000 was paid for the contract killing, including Rs. 200,000 as advance.
The key accused in the murder case are Chhota Rajan, who was once the right-hand man of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and Jigna Vora, who, at the time of Mr Dey's death, was the deputy bureau chief of Asian Age. Former journalist Jigna Vora has been acquitted.
Special CBI court in Mumbai convicts gangster Chhota Ranjan for murder of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey.