CBI's supplementary chargesheet has statement of ex-journalist who accompanied J Dey to last meeting with Chhota Rajan's aide. It was at that fated meeting that marksmen identified J Dey
mid-day’s Investigations Editor J Dey had misgivings when underworld don Chhota Rajan’s aide Vinod Asrani invited him for drinks at Uma Palace Bar in Mulund West on June 7, 2011, instead of their usual watering holes in Chembur. It was at that fated meeting that marksmen identified him, with Asrani’s help, from a distance.
He, a friend and Chhota Rajan’s aide Vinod Asrani met for the last time at Uma Palace Bar in Mulund West
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Dey was shot dead by them four days later in Powai.
The CBI has filed a supplementary chargesheet in the murder case, based on the recounting of that day by a witness and former journalist who had accompanied Dey for his meeting with Asrani. In his statement, the witness recalled how that meeting sealed the veteran journalist’s fate.
He said Dey had introduced him to Asrani, who, in turn, helped him get in touch with the dreaded don for an interview. He, Dey and Asrani allegedly used to meet once a year.
“Asrani used reporters for his personal interests as he was engaged in the construction business. Whenever he faced any problem, he took the help of reporters [to sort out the issue],” said the witness in his statement.
Odd signs
Asrani called up the witness and invited him and Dey out for drinks on June 7, 2011. Suspecting nothing amiss, Dey agreed and asked him to get back to him with the venue for the meeting. Asrani asked them to be at Uma Palace Bar in Mulund West at 9 pm. The witness and Dey met at Powai, and proceeded towards Mulund together.
Dey had thought it odd that Asrani had gone off his usual plan. “He said, ‘Every time, Asrani calls for drinks in Chembur. Why has he called us to Mulund this time?’” recalled the former journalist.
The two reached the spot at 9.30 pm, but had to wait for Asrani’s arrival on the pavement leading to the stilt parking of the building. The delay again made Dey suspect that something was amiss. “Whenever Asrani invited us for drinks, he used to reach the spot well in advance,” recalled the witness.
After Asrani’s arrival a little later, both the journalists brushed aside their suspicions and moved on.
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