Special court grants bail to Chhota Rajan's wife

MUMBAI: Gangster Chhota Rajan's wife Sujata Nikhalje, allegedly involved in a case of extortion, was granted bail by a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) Court on Wednesday.

Special judge Abhay Thipsay granted the bail on condition of furnishing Rs 1 lakh.

Nikhalje, arrested on December 14 2005, was accused of accomplicing her husband in an extortion case and also for alleged affiliation with his organised crime syndicate.

She allegedly collected the extortion money on behalf of her husband and also tried to secure a building contract from a society in Chembur after Rajan's gang had threatened the builder.

Director of Tilak Nagar construction firm Khushi Developers, named after her daughter, Nikhalje allegedly used the company to invest black money.

The judge directed Nikhalje to attend the court for one month regularly and co-operate with the investigating agency.

She has also been restricted from leaving the city without taking permission from the police.

Nikhalje has completed 21 months in prison. Her bail pleas were rejected several times earlier by the special court as well as the High Court.