Mumbai: Investigations into Chhota Rajan's aide Farid Tanasha's murder have reportedly revealed that Tanasha smiled at his assailants before being caught in a hail of bullets.
According to police sources, the needle of suspicion points to Tanasha's former associate Bharat Nepali, who broke away from mentor Chhota Rajan around 2007. Allegedly, Nepali teamed up with another breakaway gangster Santosh Shetty.
Forensic reports also indicate that the two gunmen fired from 7.65 caliber pistols, which was allegedly the same weapon used by Devendra Jagtap in the murder of advocate Shahid Azmi on February 11.
Incidentally, Tanasha and Nepali were members of the gang that went to Pakistan to target Dawood Ibrahim in the past. Nepali's role in the murder assumes significance in light of the fact that Tanasha smiled at one of the shooters. The police are still working on his identity.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy refused to comment on the progress of the ongoing investigations.
The police are led to believe that Tanasha was killed because of Nepali's desire to climb up the ladder in the gang world.
Sources say Nepali wanted to take over control of the cash-rich Tilak Nagar, as several buildings are being constructed.
Following the death of Rajan's most trusted lieutenant Balu Dokre, Tanasha was the chief of the gang in Mumbai, more so after he was released on bail in 2009. Tanasha was arrested with another associate Vicky Malhotra in New Delhi in November 2005.
With Tanasha's death, the Rajan gang is left with just a few lieutenants like Vicky Malhotra, D K Rao, Kalia Rajan and Yusuf Bachkana. Most of them are currently serving prison terms.