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Sujata Nikalje: The Woman Behind the Notorious Chhota Rajan



Chhota Rajan with Sujata along with Dawood and his wife


Sujata Nikalje, popularly known as the wife of underworld don Chhota Rajan, has remained a controversial and public figure in India’s crime and media landscape. This comprehensive profile explores her early life, family, legal battles, recent news, controversies, and lesser-known facts.

Early Life & Background

Not much is publicly known about Sujata’s childhood and upbringing; she first became widely known due to her marriage to Rajendra “Chhota Rajan” Sadashiv Nikalje, one of Mumbai’s most infamous gang leaders. They married in the early 1990s and went on to have three daughters — Ankita, Nikita, and Khushi (en.wikipedia.org).

Marriage to Chhota Rajan & Family Life

Sujata married Chhota Rajan, whose real name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, born on 13 January 1957 in Chembur, Mumbai (en.wikipedia.org). After Rajan fled India in the 1990s and went on the run, Sujata maintained the family’s domestic base. They raised three daughters together; their second daughter pursued studies abroad, while the other two daughters were based in Mumbai .

Accusations & Legal Struggles

Arrest under MCOCA in 2005

In December 2005, Sujata and Rajan’s brother, Prakash, were arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch. The allegations were serious: extortion of money from builders under threat, purportedly in Chhota Rajan’s name, under the strict Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) (aajtak.in).

Denial & Bail Battles

She initially had bail denied in 2006 due to alleged extortion links but was granted bail in September 2007 by a special MCOCA court upon furnishing ₹100,000 and with travel restrictions (indianexpress.com).

Travel Abroad Amid Trials

In 2013, the Bombay High Court granted her permission to travel to the UK to assist her daughter and also approved travel for personal reasons in 2022, with stringent conditions including security deposits and itinerary reporting (indianexpress.com).

Outcome of Charges

By 2014–2019, MCOCA courts dropped some organized-crime charges but retained extortion-related accusations. In 2019, the state submitted there was “enough evidence” to prosecute her under MCOCA for recruiting gang members and extortion financing (asianage.com).

🔥 Recent News & Developments

Plea for Illegal Arrest (2005)

In November 2024, Sujata approached the Bombay High Court challenging the legality of her 2005 arrest. Alleging procedural lapses—no arrest memorandum, unclear grounds, and sister’s unjust arrest—the case had been pending since 2006. The HC, noting an 18‑year delay, ordered its revival and set proceedings for January 13, 2025 (indiatoday.in).

Court on Fast Track

With the HC’s intervention, the state must appoint a special prosecutor, and the next hearing is scheduled in early 2025, marking a significant development in her long-dormant legal battle .

Controversies & Public Perception

  1. Accusations of Running Rajan’s Mumbai Empire
    Police allege Sujata managed extortion and recruitment post Rajan’s flight abroad (indianexpress.com).

  2. Construction Firm Under Scrutiny
    Her involvement in “Khushi Construction,” linked to slum redevelopment and alleged builder threats, attracted police attention in 2015 (timesofindia.indiatimes.com).

  3. MCOCA Charges & Revisions
    Though organized-gang member charges were dropped, the case continues under extortion provisions of MCOCA .

Personal Life: Behind the Headlines

  • Three Daughters: Maintained family cohesion even amid legal chaos; one daughter studied in the UK, inspiring Sujata’s foreign trips (indianexpress.com).

  • Tilak Nagar Roots: She and her children lived in Tilak Nagar, Mumbai — an area central to Rajan’s influence (indianexpress.com).

  • Religious and Social Identity has largely remained private, though family members have occasionally appeared in legal contexts.

💡 Top Interesting Facts

  1. Three daughters: Ankita, Nikita, and Khushi.

  2. Allowed abroad: UK in 2013; US and Canada in 2022 on court orders.

  3. Khushi Construction: Her firm was shuttered in 2015 amid extortion allegations.

  4. 18‑year delay: The Bombay HC challenged the 2005 arrest plea dormancy in 2024.

  5. Active prosecution: MCOCA continues to charge her with extortion and recruitment.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who is Sujata Nikalje?
A: She is known mainly as the wife of late gangster Chhota Rajan and has been embroiled in multiple extortion and organized crime cases since 2005.

Q2: How many children does she have?
A: She has three daughters — Ankita, Nikita, and Khushi.

Q3: Why was she arrested?
A: Arrested in 2005 under MCOCA for alleged extortion and involvement in her husband’s criminal enterprise.

Q4: Has she been convicted?
A: No MCOCA conviction yet. Some organized-gang charges dropped; extortion allegations remain active.

Q5: What is the current status of her 2005 plea?
A: In November 2024, Bombay High Court revived her petition challenging the legality of her 2005 arrest, with hearings ongoing.

Q6: Has she traveled abroad during legal proceedings?
A: Yes—she received court permission to travel to the UK in 2013 and to the US/Canada in 2022 under strict conditions.

Q7: What’s her role in Khushi Construction?
A: Police linked the construction firm to slum redevelopment and alleged extortion. It faced scrutiny and was dissolved by 2015.

Q8: Is she still in India?
A: Yes, she resides in Mumbai and continues to appear in court while caring for her youngest daughters.

Conclusion

Sujata Nikalje’s life intersects family, controversy, crime, and legal drama. From managing domestic affairs and a construction outfit to facing MCOCA charges and court battles over procedural rights, her journey remains under scrutiny. With the Bombay High Court reviving her case, 2025 could be a pivotal year for Sujata—transforming her portrayal from a mob spouse to a litigant seeking justice.

 

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