Chhota Rajan used fictitious identity with help of fake passport: CBI

Alleged gangster Chhota Rajan had used fictitious identity with the help of a fake passport to escape the law as he was accused in several cases of heinous nature, involving murder, the CBI on Wednesday told a special court.

The CBI was arguing on the issue of framing of charges in an alleged fake passport case against Rajan and three retired public servants -- Jayashree Dattatray Rahate, Deepak Natvarlal Shah and Lalitha Lakshmanan.

The agency told the Special Judge Vinod Kumar that the government officials conspired to issue the passport to Rajan in the name of one Mohan Kumar, a non-existent person in complete violation of procedures.

"He (Rajan) was accused in several cases of heinous nature, involving charges of murder and extortion. In 1995, a Red Corner Notice was issued against him, therefore, he used a new identity to escape," the prosecution told the court. It added that in most of the documents recovered from him, Rajan had used the name of Mohan Kumar.

During the arguments, CBI prosecutor said that "the public servants were in conspiracy and issued passport to Rajan in the name of one Mohan Kumar, a non-existent person, in complete violation of the procedures."

"During the investigation, it was revealed that there was no person named as Mohan Kumar available at the address given in the application. Even the house number given in application does not exist. The election commission also confirmed that no election identity card was issued in the name of Mohan Kumar or any other person living on that address, neither any ration card was issued. Despite knowing all the details, officials granted him the passport and helped him to us a fictitious identity," the prosecution said.

It also alleged that Rajan's application for the passport was not genuine but public servants ignored all flaws in it.

While concluding the arguments, CBI said there was enough evidence to put on trial the four accused. The court has now fixed the matter for May 23, when the accused persons will start their arguments on charge.

During the hearing, Rajan who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail here under judicial custody, was produced before court through video conferencing.

The court had earlier summoned as accused Rajan and the retired public servants in the case.

According to CBI, Rajan had got his first fake passport issued from Bengaluru on January 1, 1998 allegedly in connivance with then passport officers -- Rahate, Shah and Lakshmanan -- in the name of a fictitious person, Mohan Kumar. According to CBI, Rajan had allegedly got his passport issued twice from Indian missions abroad on the basis of a fake travel document issued to him in the name of Kumar from the Bengaluru passport office in 1998.

The agency has filed a charge sheet for alleged offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery under the IPC and under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Passport Act. The CBI sources had said these officers had allegedly ignored rules and regulations of verification while issuing the passport on fake identity and address.

CBI claimed that on the basis of passport issued in Kumar's name, Rajan had allegedly got another passport issued on December 19, 2003 from High commission of India at Harare, Zimbabwe, and another one from the Consulate General of India in Sydney.

Deported after being on the run for 27 years, the 55-year old gangster, who was once a close aide of fugitive terrorist and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, was brought to India to face trial in over 70 cases of murder, extortion and drug smuggling in Delhi and Mumbai. Rajan was deported to India after his arrest in Bali in October last year.