Rajan aide given 'supari' for 5, including 2 from Mumbai: ATS

The investigation into the arrest of Chhota Rajan gang member and sharpshooter Sharad Kolambe has led Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to some startling revelations.

ATS sources say Kolambe was given a contract to kill five people in the state, two of whom are Mumbai residents. The other three, including a well-known doctor, hail from Kolhapur. Rajan was also planning to eliminate a ganglord from Kolhapur, so that a rival group could take over his illegal businesses, the sources claim.

Kolambe,40, was arrested near McDonalds at Vile Parle (East) last Sunday by the Juhu ATS unit. Four 7.65 mm pistols and one revolver, along with 26 live rounds, were seized from his bags. He was to supply weapons to his acquaintance, and was subsequently nabbed, ATS had stated.

“During his interrogation, Kolambe revealed that he was given a contract by the gang to kill five people in Mumbai and Kolhapur. It was decided that all these targets would be eliminated separately in May, 2012,” said an officer, who did not wish to be named.

“Kolambe, who jumped parole from Kolhapur jail last year while serving a life term for the kidnapping of a Thane-based businessman, collected the weapons a few weeks ago in Karnataka from Yusuf Bachkana’s aide. Rajan man Bachkana, presently lodged in Karnataka jail, met Kolambe few years ago, when both of them were lodged in Arthur Road jail,” said the officer.

The police are yet to ascertain the names of those on Rajan’s hit list. Karjat resident Kolambe also told interrogators that he was supposed to get two more people to help him execute the operation.