Security stepped up as Chhota Rajan lodged in Tihar Jail

Security has been stepped up in and around Jail no 2 of Tihar prison where underworld don Chhota Rajan was lodged yesterday after being remanded in a 14 -day judicial custody.

"The jail authorities have been asked to minutely screen the area and maintain maximum security. A team of 10 head warders, 10 warders, one deputy superintendent and two assistant superintendents has been drawn for the purpose from different jails," a senior prison official said.

"The DG has also briefed the staff and warned that no breach of security will be tolerated," he added.

Rajan was yesterday brought to the high-security Tihar jail after being sent to 14 days judicial custody by court as CBI decided to take over all the 71 cases registered by Maharashtra Police against him.

"Rajan has furnished the names of his wife and a friend in Mumbai in his visitors' list," the official said.

The ITBP and CRPF, which take care of the security outside the prison, have increased their surveillance to ensure that nothing is smuggled to him on the premises.

Deported after being on the run for 27 years, the 55-year-old gangster, whose real name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, was remanded to CBI custody in connection with his passport procured on a fake identity.

Rajan, once a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim, has been brought to the country to face trial in over 70 cases of murder, extortion and drug smuggling in Delhi and Mumbai.

After his arrest in Bali on October 25, India had pressed for his early deportation.