Rajan to plead guilty in Thai court

Bangkok, OCT. 2. The Mumbai underworld don, Chhota Rajan, will plead guilty to charges of deceit before asking to be extradited to a third country, his lawyer said today.

Vijay Daman - also known as Rajendra Nikalje or Chhota Rajan - ``will plead guilty to misinforming police'' tomorrow in a Thai court, his lawyer, Mr. Sirachai Piayphichetkul, said.

An extended trial in Bangkok could allow time for a case to be brought by Indian police, who have said they want to extradite Rajan to face charges relating to murders in India.

``He does not want to go back to India because it's not safe for him there ... Indian police have not yet issued warrant against him, so he can go to a third country... He has many friends in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. He may decide to go there.''

Although he would plead guilty in order to avoid a long trial, Rajan actually committed no crime, Mr. Sirachai insisted.

Rajan today appealed to the Thai Government to ensure that justice was rendered in a case filed by the immigration office against him for giving false information while seeking to convert his tourist visa into a business visa. A petition was submitted on his behalf to the Prime Minister's office this morning at the Government House, sources said.

Meanwhile, sources in Mumbai, quoting Bangkok police officials, said the Thai authorities had no solid ground to detain Rajan as he was not wanted for any criminal offence in Thailand.

The three-member Crime Branch team, which was to leave for Bangkok, was awaiting the approval of the Home and External Affairs Ministries. The Government had not yet made any written formal extradition request to bring back Rajan.

- AFP, PTI, UNI

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : China hopes Putin visit will bolster peace
Next     : Immunity decree will not spare Speight