Gosalia case: Accused’s bail plea rejected

A special MCOCA court constituted inside Arthur Road jail for hearing cases against gangster Rajendra Nikalje alias Chhota Rajan, recently rejected bail application filed by one Prakash alias Pakya Bhau Nikam arrested for his involvement in firing on former bookie-turned-developer Ajay Gosalia. He was seriously injured after three shooters opened fire at him on Malad Link Road around three years ago.

On August 28, 2013, in the evening when victim Gosalia on coming out of Infinity Mall, Malad (west) found himself in front of three unknown shooters. Although, he had tried to escape, Gosalia received shots from a point blank range and suffered injuries in his throat, shoulder, stomach and palm. Assailants ran away after injuring him.

A grievously injured Gosalia was rushed to a nearby hospital and Bangur Nagar police registered a case of attempt to murder on the complaint of Arshad Shaikh, the victim’s bodyguard. Later the case was transferred to the crime branch Unit 11.

On a tip off, the police had arrested some of the accused and during investigation found out that the attack was carried out at the alleged insistence of Chhota Rajan and the accused were members of organised crime syndicate and hence MCOCA was imposed on the case.

The police claimed that Prakash was one of the shooters. However, his lawyer contended that the applicant was not connected with the crime and had been falsely implicated and hence asked for bail. He also sought bail on ground of parity saying three accused have already been granted bail.

CBI lawyer Dip Narayan strongly opposed the bail claiming that he was amongst the shooters. He argued that Prakash had allegedly gone to Shelgar in Uran to examine the pistol used for the shooting. There were also some CCTV footages, which showed the assailants following him. There are four eyewitnesses who have identified the applicant as one of the assailants. After hearing arguments special judge Samir Adkar rejected his bail plea.