Chhota Rajan hitman killed in police encounter

MUMBAI: Sarfiya Gagansingh Nepali alias Sherpa Nepali, an associate of underworld don Chhota Rajan, was killed on Monday night in an encounter with police in Saki Naka area of suburban Andheri.

Nepali was wanted in over 18 criminal cases, Additional Commissioner of Police (Western region) Bipin Bihari informed.

On a tip-off that Nepali would come to the area to meet some acquaintance a trap was laid for him and he was asked to surrender, the ACP said. However, he opened fire at police.

Following the encounter Nepali was taken to the Rajawadi hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

The police team was led by Pradeep Sharma, an inspector with D N Nagar station who has shot dead over 100 gangsters in encounters.

Nepali was close to jailed Chhota Rajan lieutenant D K Rao and was wanted in the case of murder of O P Singh who broke away from Rajan gang, Bihari added.

O P Singh was allegedly killed by Rao and his men inside the Nashik jail in 2000.