Chhota Rajan unlikely to be deported today due to airport closure…..

Underworld don Chhota Rajan is unlikely to be deported today as Indonesia extended the closure of the international airport on popular resort island until tomorrow due to the spewing of volcanic ash from a mountain nearby. Rajan, 55, was to be taken to India by a special craft last night but it was delayed till today due to the volcanic eruption. He continued to be in detention in Denpasar. Local authorities had closed the Ngurah Rai International Airport here late yesterday due to a large ash cloud drifting from Mount Rinjani, a lively volcano on the nearby island. It is expected that Rajan, would be deported tomorrow if conditions allow, sources said. He was arrested in this popular tourist town on his arrival from Australia on October 25. The Indian agencies were keen that the deportation takes place at the earliest and had put in a request to Indonesian authorities on Sunday itself, sources said. Formalities for deportation have almost been completed, they said. Rajan, whose real name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, was wanted in India for many years and was arrested following a tip from Australian authorities. An Indian Police team that arrived on Sunday here has completed all the formalities for taking custody of Rajan and flying him back to India, where he is one of the most wanted criminals. Rajan is wanted in over 75 atrocious crimes ranging from murder, extortion to smuggling and drug trafficking. Rajan was arrested in Bali on the basis of a Red Corner Notice from Interpol and following a tip off by Australian authorities to the police in Indonesia. In 2000, there was an attempt on Rajan’s life when his arch rival and India’s most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim’s men tracked him down to a hotel in Bangkok however he managed a dramatic escape. In the absence of an extradition treaty, the Indian authorities to facilitate his deportation have already provided documents to their Indonesian counterparts about his Indian identity.

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