J Dey murder case: Timeline of events up to Chhota Rajan’s conviction

A special CBI court in Mumbai on Wednesday convicted gangster Rajendra Nikhalje alias Chhota Rajan the murder case of veteran crime journalist Jyotirmoy Dey.

Apart from Rajan, the court convicted eight others, including shooters Satish Kaliya, Anil Waghmode, Arun Fake and Mangesh Agavane, in the murder case. However, Journalist Jigna Vora and another accused Paulson Joseph were acquitted by the court.

Here is the complete timeline of events in journalist J Dey murder case:

June 11, 2011: Journalist Jyotirmoy Dey (56) shot dead near Hiranandani Gardens in suburban Powai. A case of murder filed at the Powai police station and the probe transferred to the Crime Branch.

June 27, 2011: Mumbai Crime Branch arrests seven people, including the shooter, Satish Kaliya, and others Abhijit Shinde, Arun Dake, Sachin Gaikwad, Anil Waghmode, Nilesh Shendge and Mangesh Agawane. Based on their questioning, the police arrests three more accused - Vinod Asrani, Deepak Sisodia and Paulson Joseph.

July 7, 2011: Provisions of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) invoked against the accused.

November 25, 2011: A sensational twist came in the case and journalist Jigna Vora arrested on charges of instigating gangster Chhota Rajan to plan the killing.

December 3, 2011: The Crime Branch files charge sheet in the case. Two persons - Chhota Rajan and Nayansingh Bisht - shown as wanted accused.

February 21, 2012: A supplementary charge sheet filed against Vora.

July 27, 2012: Journalist Vora gets bail.

April 10, 2015: Asrani dies in jail after prolonged illness.

June 8, 2015: The court frames charges against 11 accused under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections of 120(b) (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention), along with relevant provisions of the MCOCA and the Arms Act.

Also Read | Gangster Chhota Rajan convicted for journalist Jyotirmoy Dey's murder

October 25, 2015: Rajan arrested at Bali in Indonesia and deported to India. Later, lodged at Tihar Jail in Delhi.

January 5, 2016: The case transferred to the CBI.

November 7, 2016: Dey’s wife Shubha Sharma deposes before the court, tells he was tensed since a week before the killing.

August 31, 2017: The special MCOCA court frames charges against Rajan.

February 22, 2018: The prosecution completes its final arguments.

April 2, 2018: The court records Rajan’s final statement under section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Rajan produced before the court from Tihar jail via video conference link.

April 3, 2018: The defence completes its arguments. The special MCOCA court reserves its judgement in case till May 2.

May 2, 2018: Court convicts gangster Chhota Rajan and eight others in murder case of J Day. The Court, however, acquitted Journalist Jigna Vora and Paulson Joseph.

(With anputs from agencies)