Mumbai court withdraws interim relief granted to 'godman'

MUMBAI: A Sessions Court on Monday withdrew the interim relief granted to self-proclaimed godman Baba Udayraj Maharaj, accused of paying four associates of gangster Chhota Rajan to kill a builder, and said the police could arrest him.

Udayraj had sought anticipatory bail on Friday. On Monday he filed an application seeking bail in another case, one in which he is accused of murder.

Udayraj is accused of having paid four persons to kill builder Rashmikant Shah so that the contract for development of a property in central Mumbai could be given to another real estate developer.

Udayraj, who was to appear before the court for the hearing of his applications, was absent and his counsel stated he had no idea about his client's whereabouts.

He added that Udayraj feared arrest in the murder case and that was the reason he had not appeared before the court.

The court then adjourned proceedings for a brief interval and the defence counsel was instructed to produce his client.

However, during subsequent proceedings the court was informed that Udayraj's whereabouts were still not known.

Additional Public Prosecutor RV Kini argued that the application for bail was not correct at this point and also sought cancellation of anticipatory bail.

The court then dismissed the bail application and adjourned till March 14 the hearing of Udayraj's anticipatory bail plea.

It also withdrew the interim relief granted to him and said the police could arrest Udayraj before the hearing of his anticipatory bail plea.