Raja Thakur, also known as Ravichand Thakur, is a name that resonates with infamy in the underworld of Maharashtra, particularly in the Thane region. A convicted murderer and a feared gangster, Raja Thakur has been linked to several high-profile crimes, including the sensational murder of rival gangster Deepak Patil in 2011. His alleged association with political figures, most notably Shrikant Shinde, son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has further propelled him into the spotlight.
Early Life and Background
Little is known about Raja Thakur’s early life, as he emerged from the shadows of Thane’s underbelly rather than a well-documented upbringing. Born as Ravichand Thakur, he hails from the Thane-Kalwa-Mumbra belt, a region notorious for its gang rivalries and criminal activities. The lack of public information about his birth date, family, or education reflects the secretive nature of his existence before he became a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s criminal landscape. What is clear, however, is that Thakur’s entry into the world of crime was fueled by the socio-economic challenges and gang culture prevalent in these areas during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Thane, a bustling satellite city of Mumbai, has long been a hotspot for organized crime, with gangs vying for control over extortion rackets, construction contracts, and illegal businesses. Raja Thakur’s rise within this environment suggests a combination of street-smarts, ruthlessness, and alliances that allowed him to establish a formidable presence.
Criminal Career: Rise to Infamy
Raja Thakur’s criminal career gained significant traction in the early 2000s, as he became a key player in Thane’s underworld. His gang, active in Thane, Kalwa, and Mumbra, was involved in a range of illegal activities, including extortion, murder, and gang warfare. Thakur’s notoriety peaked with the brutal killing of Deepak Patil, a rival gangster, in January 2011. The murder took place under the Vitawa Bridge on the Thane-Belapur road in Kalwa, marking a turning point in his criminal trajectory.
The killing of Deepak Patil was not just an act of violence but a declaration of dominance in the ongoing rivalry between Thakur’s gang and Patil’s faction. This enmity, rooted in territorial disputes and personal grudges, cemented Thakur’s reputation as a ruthless gangster unafraid to eliminate his enemies. Following the murder, Thakur was arrested and convicted, receiving a life imprisonment sentence. However, his time behind bars was short-lived, as he secured bail in April 2019, a move that raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about his connections.
Legal Battles and Bail Controversies
Raja Thakur’s legal journey is as tumultuous as his criminal career. After his life sentence for the Deepak Patil murder, his release on bail in 2019 was a significant event that highlighted the complexities of India’s judicial system. However, his freedom was fleeting. In October 2019, Thakur absconded, violating his bail conditions by failing to appear before the police. This prompted a swift response from the Thane Crime Branch’s Anti-Extortion Squad, led by Senior Police Inspector Rajkumar Kothmire, who apprehended him at Sai Dhaba in Yeur.
Despite this arrest, Thakur was once again released on bail, a pattern that has led to accusations of leniency and possible political backing. Reports suggest that after his second release, he aligned himself with the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, further intertwining his criminal persona with Maharashtra’s political landscape. His ability to evade prolonged incarceration has only added to his mystique and influence in Thane.
Alleged Political Connections
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Raja Thakur’s life is his alleged association with Shrikant Shinde, the Member of Parliament and son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This connection came under intense scrutiny in February 2023, when Sanjay Raut, a prominent leader of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, accused Shrikant Shinde of hiring Thakur to orchestrate an attack against him.
In a letter addressed to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Raut claimed to have credible intelligence that Shrikant Shinde had given Thakur a “supari” (contract) to eliminate him. Raut’s allegations, made public on February 21, 2023, sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political and criminal circles. He wrote, “Today I came to know from my sources that MP Shrikant Shinde, who is the son of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has given a contract to attack me and assigned the task to Raja Thakur – a goon from Thane.”
The accusations were met with swift denials from the Shinde camp. Shrikant Shinde dismissed them as baseless, with some allies suggesting Raut suffered from “schizophrenia” and was fabricating stories for political mileage. Nevertheless, Thakur’s alleged proximity to Shinde was not entirely unfounded. Reports indicate that Thakur had been spotted at public events with Shrikant Shinde and had organized a Kabaddi tournament in Thane to celebrate the birthdays of both Eknath and Shrikant Shinde. Posters wishing the Shinde duo were also reportedly displayed across the city, further fueling speculation about their ties.
Public Persona and Influence
Beyond his criminal exploits, Raja Thakur has cultivated a public image that blends fear with a strange form of admiration. His organization of community events, such as the Kabaddi tournament, suggests an attempt to portray himself as a local strongman with a softer side. This duality is common among gangsters in India, who often leverage their influence to gain favor with certain sections of society while maintaining a reign of terror over others.
Thakur’s gang continues to operate in Thane, with sources indicating that he remains an active figure in the region’s underworld as of 2025. His ability to oscillate between jail, bail, and public life underscores his resilience and the challenges law enforcement faces in curbing organized crime in Maharashtra.
The Sanjay Raut Controversy: A Turning Point
The Sanjay Raut allegations marked a turning point in Raja Thakur’s public narrative. While he was already a known figure in criminal circles, Raut’s letter brought him into the national spotlight, intertwining his story with Maharashtra’s volatile political landscape. The Thane Police booked Raut for making false allegations, but the incident left lingering questions about Thakur’s role and influence.
Raut’s claims were investigated, with Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde promising a probe. However, no concrete evidence linking Thakur to the alleged plot has surfaced as of March 07, 2025. The controversy nonetheless amplified Thakur’s infamy, making him a subject of intrigue and debate.
Top FAQs About Raja Thakur, Gangster
1. Who is Raja Thakur?
Raja Thakur, also known as Ravichand Thakur, is a notorious gangster from Thane, Maharashtra, known for his involvement in murder, extortion, and gang rivalries. He gained national attention following allegations of political ties and a contract to attack Sanjay Raut.
2. What crimes has Raja Thakur been convicted of?
Thakur was convicted of murdering rival gangster Deepak Patil in 2011, for which he received a life imprisonment sentence. He has also been linked to extortion and other criminal activities in Thane, Kalwa, and Mumbra.
3. Is Raja Thakur still in jail?
As of his last known status, Thakur was released on bail after his 2019 arrest for absconding. His current legal status as of March 07, 2025, is unclear, but he is believed to remain active in Thane.
4. What is the Sanjay Raut controversy involving Raja Thakur?
In February 2023, Sanjay Raut, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, alleged that Shrikant Shinde hired Raja Thakur to attack him. The claims sparked a political storm, though no definitive evidence has substantiated them.
5. Does Raja Thakur have political connections?
Thakur has been allegedly linked to Shrikant Shinde and the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena. His appearances at public events and organization of tournaments in their honor have fueled these speculations.
6. Where is Raja Thakur from?
Raja Thakur hails from the Thane-Kalwa-Mumbra region of Maharashtra, a known hub for organized crime near Mumbai.
7. How did Raja Thakur rise to power?
Thakur rose through the ranks of Thane’s underworld by engaging in gang warfare, extortion, and high-profile crimes like the Deepak Patil murder, establishing himself as a feared figure.
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