Mumbai: The MCOCA court has refused to discharge Pradeep Madgaonkar, 52, a close aide of Chhota Rajan, who was booked in connection with the extortion case involving businessmen and builders in 2006. The court, while rejecting Madgaonkar's plea, stated that there is sufficient evidence against him at this stage.
The prosecution alleged that Chhota Rajan’s gang extorted Rs 10 lakh from the informant and further attempted to extort an additional Rs 20 lakh from him and others under threats of murder. The case was initially registered in December 2005. After Rajan's arrest, the case was taken up for investigation by the CBI.
The prosecution alleged that the gang, including Madgaonkar, threatened residents, forcing them to hand over redevelopment projects to developers of their choice. Similarly, the accused threatened the complainant and extorted funds from him.
Madgaonkar’s defense lawyer argued for his discharge, stating that there was insufficient evidence or a prima facie case to frame charges. The defense also cited procedural lapses, including flaws in the test identification parade.
The prosecution, however, countered that Madgaonkar had been absconding for years before surrendering in 2013. Investigations revealed that both arrested and wanted accused were in regular contact via mobile phones, with conversations allegedly detailing ongoing extortion and other illegal activities linked to the Chhota Rajan-led crime syndicate.
After hearing both sides, the court stated, “It cannot be said that there is no prima facie case to frame charges against the present applicant. At this juncture, it cannot be adjudicated that the identification of the applicant by the informant before the police is bad-in-law in the absence of a test identification parade. It is settled law that the identification of the accused by a witness before the court during trial is substantial evidence and has to be appreciated at the time of the final hearing.”
