J Dey murder case: HC to commence hearing on appeals of Chhota Rajan and co-accused from January 3

The High Court clarified on Monday that the final hearing on the appeals filed by the notorious gangster Chhota Rajan, who has been convicted and is serving a life sentence in the case of the murder of journalist Jyotirmoy alias J. Dey and other accused against their sentences will begin on January 3.

A bench of Justices Bharti Dangre and Shyam Chandak cited the Supreme Court order while hearing the bail application of some of the convicted accused in the case. It also stated that the final hearing on the appeal filed by Rajan and other accused will be held from January 3. The court was also informed that all the convicted accused in this case are in jail and one has been acquitted in the case.

A special MCOCA court had convicted Rajan and other accused and sentenced them to life imprisonment in 2018. Nine convicted accused, including Rajan, have challenged this decision in the High Court. The four convicted accused had earlier petitioned the High Court for bail. However, the court had rejected their plea considering the nature of the crime. Another accused had sought bail, but the petition was later withdrawn.

Some of the accused have once again filed a petition seeking bail, and the matter was heard on Monday before a bench of Justice Dangre and Justice Chandak. At that time, one of the accused admitted that he had previously petitioned for bail twice and this was his third petition.

The bench observed that there has been no change in the situation, only that he is still in jail. Similarly, it stated that there is no reason to reconsider the bail plea at this stage. However, the court clarified that the only option is to proceed with the final hearing of the appeals. It also noted that as per the orders of the Supreme Court, the appeals filed by Rajan and other accused are being kept for final hearing.