Chhota Rajan behind Dey’s killing: Police

Mumbai Police on Monday said underworld don Chhota Rajan had ordered the killing of investigative journalist J Dey, who was gunned down in broad daylight outside his apartment in Powai, Mumbai on 11 June.

Addressing a press conference, police commissioner, Arup Patnaik, said the crime branch has solved the case and arrested all the seven shooters involved in the murder. The police, however, are not yet sure of the motive.

''We will go deep into the case and establish the reason behind the murder in the coming days,'' said Patnaik.

Joint commissioner, crime, Himanshu Roy identified the seven alleged killers as Rohit Thangappan Joseph (34) alias Satish Kaliya, Abhijit Shinde (28), Arun Dake (27), Sachin Gaikwad (27), Anil Waghmode (35), Nilesh Shendge (34) and Mangesh Agwane (25).

All seven assailants, who were arrested in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu late on Sunday, were produced before a magistrate and have been remanded to police custody till 4 July.

Roy said they had recovered the murder weapon, a .32 bore US-made revolver, from Kaliya, the gang leader and known associate of Chhota Rajan, along with 22 live shells and five used shells.