A Mumbai court has acquitted underworld don Chhota Rajan in the murder case of doctor-turned-politician Datta Samant, who was shot dead by bike-borne miscreants on January 16, 1997.
Special Judge, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) A.M. Patil observed on Friday that it was acquitting Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje alias Chhota Rajan of all charges related to the murder of Samant for want of ‘cogent’ evidence.
According to the prosecution, the trade union leader was proceeding in his jeep from Powai to Pant Nagar in Ghatkopar on January 16, 1997, when he was attacked by four assailants near Naresh General Store on Padmavati Road.
Four men on motorcycles intercepted Samant’s jeep and fired at least 17 bullets at him.
The politician was immediately rushed to the nearby Aniket Nursing Home, where he was declared brought dead.
Samant’s driver, Bhimrao Sonkamble, who too sustained injuries to his face and neck in the attack, filed a complaint in Sakinaka police station.
A case was registered against four unknown assailants based on the complaint filed by Sonkamble.