Chhota Rajan Sentenced to Seven Years for Passport Fraud After 22-Year Fight

Chhota Rajan, one of India's most infamous gangsters, has been sentenced to a seven-year prison term by a special CBI court in Chennai for his involvement in a passport forgery case. This ruling marks the conclusion of a lengthy legal struggle that has persisted for over two decades. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revealed that Rajan fraudulently acquired an Indian passport by adopting the alias 'Vijaya Kadam' and submitting a series of forged documents, which included a school transfer certificate and a ration card. The court's decision underscores the seriousness of the crime and the extensive efforts made by law enforcement to bring Rajan to justice.

The case against Rajan began when the CBI filed a First Information Report (FIR) on March 19, 2002, accusing him of deceiving the Regional Passport Office in Chennai. Following a thorough investigation, the agency submitted a chargesheet on January 22, 2004, detailing how Rajan utilized false documents to obtain the passport. The CBI spokesperson stated that the investigation uncovered that the true identity of 'Vijaya Kadam' was, in fact, Rajendra, also known as Nana or Chhota Rajan, who hails from Mumbai. This revelation was pivotal in securing the conviction after a protracted legal battle that spanned more than 20 years, highlighting the complexities and challenges faced by the judiciary in dealing with high-profile criminal cases.