CBI chargesheets Chhota Rajan in fake passport case

The CBI has filed its first chargesheet against gangster Chhota Rajan and three former officials of Bengaluru passport office accusing them of criminal conspiracy and forgery over issuance of fake passport to him, which he used to escape to Australia. The chargesheet has been filed in the Special Court, Patiala House, which has also taken cognisance of it, CBI press information officer R.K. Gaur said.

They said Chhota Rajan and three passport officials — Jay Shree Rahate, Deepak Natvarlal Shah and Lalitha Layamon, who were posted at Bengaluru passport office and are now retired, have been made accused in the chargesheet.

The CBI sources said the agency has levelled charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act in the chargesheet.

Rajan was detained by Indonesian police at Bali in October 2015 on his arrival from Australia against a Red Corner notice issued by the Interpol from where he was deported to India on November 6, 2015.

He is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in Delhi.