After Shakeel’s threat, security beefed up at Mumbai Police HQ, where Rajan is likely to be kept

MUMBAI: With arch rival Chhota Shakeel vowing to kill gangster Chhota Rajan, security agencies are taking no chances. Elaborate arrangements are being made at the police headquarters at Crawford Market where Rajan is likely to be lodged initially once he is handed over to city cops.
The home department is also considering the police’s proposal to install video conferencing facility at the headquarters.Mumbai police commissioner Ahmad Javed and joint commissioner Deven Bharti last week took a review and have decided to enhance security at entry and exit points.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel are likely to be deployed as during the time executed 26/11 gunman Ajmal Kasab, and terrorist Abu Jundal were lodged. “We don’t want to take the risk of ferrying him to the local courts and hence have requested the government for video conferencing facility also at Arthur Road jail,” said a police officer.

Rajan, absconding for three decades, is wanted in at least 75 cases in Mumbai. Offences are also registered against him in Delhi, Lucknow and other parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Bharti said that of the Mumbai cases, four are under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), one under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and over 20, mostly murder, under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act. The police said that if they take custody of Rajan for each case, he will be in police custody for nearly a year. When Rajan will be sent to judicial custody, he will be lodged in the special cell where Kasab was lodged.