Advertisement

A special court has posted on May 9 a bail petition filed by Sujata Nikalje, wife of underworld don Chhota Rajan, held on extortion charges under the provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

The petition would be heard by designated judge Abhay Thipsay, who has asked public prosecutor Jimmy Madon to file a reply.

Nikalje, arrested under MCOCA on December 14 last year, was booked in an extortion case.

Police alleged that she had targetted builders in Ghatkopar-Chembur areas of north-east Mumbai and had allegedly accepted Rs five lakh from a builder.

The accused has challenged her arrest under MCOCA and said she was wrongly booked under this stringent act.

Nikalje said she had been in custody since last December and had a three-year child to look after. Hence, she should be granted bail.

She said there was no evidence against her under MCOCA and that she was not member of any crime syndicate.

A case was registered by Tilak Nagar police station last year against Nikalje. Police obtained sanction from the competent authority to prosecute Nikalje under MCOCA.

After Nikalje was arrested, her chartered accountant was also arrested under MCOCA. He is also in custody.

Earlier, a special court had rejected the bail plea of Nikalje. Being aggrieved, she has filed a fresh bail plea.