Chhota Rajan arrested in Indonesia, likely to be deported to India

Indonesian police officials said that they have arrested a wanted criminal from India in Bali who had been on the run for two decades, with Interpol flagging him as a wanted man back in 1995.

Acting on a tip-off from Australian police, Indonesian authorities detained Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, alias ‘Chhota Rajan’ yesterday as he arrived in the popular resort island of Bali from Sydney, Bali police spokesman Heri Wiyanto told AFP.

“We received information from police in Canberra yesterday (Sunday) about the red notice for a murderer,” he told AFP.

“We arrested the man at the airport yesterday. What we know is that this man was suspected to have carried out 15 to 20 murders in India.”

“Bali Police arrested Chhota Rajan yesterday at CBI’s request made through Interpol,” CBI Director Anil Sinha said as he confirmed the arrest.

Bali police were coordinating with Interpol and Indian authorities, Wiyanto said, adding it was likely Nikalje would be deported to India.

A spokesperson for Australian Federal Police said Interpol in Canberra had alerted Indonesian authorities “who apprehended Nikalje at the request of Indian authorities”.

The federal police confirmed last month that Nikalje was living in Australia under another identity and had been in discussions with Indian authorities, the spokesperson said, but would not provide further details.