Overview
- A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta set aside the October 23, 2024 Bombay High Court order that had suspended the sentence and granted bail.
- The decision cancels Rajan’s bail bond and reinstates the Special MCOCA court’s May 2024 conviction imposing concurrent life terms and a Rs 16 lakh fine.
- The bench questioned leniency given Rajan’s criminal record and long fugitive history, noting he remains in custody serving life for the 2011 J Dey murder.
- Rajan’s counsel argued many of 71 cases lacked evidence and 47 were closed by the CBI, while the court noted past acquittals often followed witness non-cooperation.
- Prosecutors say hotelier Jaya Shetty was shot dead on May 4, 2001 at his Golden Crown establishment in Mumbai after extortion threats linked to Rajan’s gang.