Mumbai: TheMumbai Police announced yesterday that the seven accused apprehended for JDey's murder were paid Rs 5 lakh in cash for the hit job through Chhota Rajan-two lakh from a person in Chembur and three from someone in Nalasopara. But nowofficials from within the force have raised questions about the cops' lack ofknowledge of the source of the money.
WhileSatish Kalia, who is believed to have been the one who fired at Dey while hisaccomplices looked on, admitted that he had picked up the money from DiamondGarden in Chembur, a known Rajan stronghold and Nalasopara, he has stated thathe was clueless about the identity of the persons who gave him the money.
"Rajanmust have asked two of his lackeys from whom he demands extortion money on aregular basis to hand over the amount to Kalia at Chembur and atNalasopara," said a senior police official.
"Itis rather unfortunate that the crime branch does not know where the money camefrom. The Mumbai Police has intelligence dossiers on all those who help Rajanfinancially. Besides, Satish Kalia, one of Rajan's key shooters, is a knownface in Chembur and it should not have been tough to trace the person who gavehim the money," he added.
Historyis replete with instances of Rajan controlling his operations from Chembur. Adepartmental inquiry was initiated against a police officer posted there forhaving received money from Rajan. The officer, who has now retired, was latertransferred out of Mumbai.
And,it was not long after that, when the role of Rajan's family members inextortion came to the fore. In December 15, 2005, Rajan's wife Sujata Nikhaljeand four Rajan gang members were arrested for running a real estate firmallegedly used as a front to extort money from builders.
Filesseized from Bharat Tulani, Nikhalje's personal accountant, had opened apandora's box that revealed details of Rajan's extortion plot against manydevelopers in the area and his money laundering activities.
Inhis confession to the police, Kalia has stated that he received a call fromRajan 20 days before Dey's murder informing him that he had to bump somebodyoff. Rajan gave him the description of the person and asked him to collect Rs 2lakh from someone at Diamond Garden in Chembur.
Kaliawent to the spot and collected the money without asking any questions orseeking to know the identity of the person who was handing the amount over tohim.
OnJune 11, after the shootout, Kalia was shocked at coming to know through newschannels that he had shot a senior journalist.
Hewas scared and called up Rajan, who asked him not to worry and collect Rs 3lakh from a person in Nalasopara. He gave the location and time and asked himto tell all his accomplices to leave the city after that, which he did.
TheSeven Killers
RohitJoseph alias Satish Kalia (34)
Isthe main accused, who fired five rounds at Dey. He was seated behind Arun Dokeon the bike. He is the mastermind of the murder and did a recce from the MiD DAYoffice in Parel to Hiranandani on a bike on June 6. He was nabbed fromRameshwaram.
Criminalrecord:1999: Attempted to murder a wine shop owner in Khar
1998: Killed Mohan Mahite in Khar, who was a witness in another case.
2004: Killed Mahesh Dewdigha in Khar
2004: Killed Ashok Shetty, a hotelier, in Vashi
2005: Was involved in a fake passport case
AnilBhanudas Vaghmode (35)
Anilwas on the second bike, which was behind Kalia's. The Qualis which was seizedis registered in his name. He also accompanied Kalia on the recce from Parel toHiranandani. He was nabbed from Rameshwaram.
Criminalrecord:
1993:Killed Nasir in D N Nagar
2004:An extortion case was lodged against him with the Oshiwara police
NileshShengde alias Bablu (34)
Nileshwas on the bike with Anil and was taling Kalia's bike. Hewas picked up from Solapur
Criminalrecord:
2002:Involved in a grievous hurt case
2009:Involved in a theft in Nagpada
2010:Involved in a grievous hurt case in Dharavi
AbhijeetKashiram Shinde (28)
Wasseated in Qualis and was waiting for the shooters.
Criminalrecord:
Grievoushurt case
Pickedup from Rameshwaram
MangeshDamodar Agvane (25)
Wasseated behind Sachin on the bike. Picked up from Mumbai. No previous criminalrecord.
ArunJanardhan Doke (27)
Hewas riding the bike Kalia was on. Arrested from Mumbai.
Criminalrecord:
2007:Two cases of grievous hurt in Chembur police station2010:Two Arms Act cases and two extortion cases
SachinSuresh Gaikwad (27)
Wasriding a bike which was tailing Kalia. Picked up from Mumbai
Criminalrecord:
2010:Grievous hurt case in Chembur police station.