BIG BADDIES TURN BUDDIES

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Crime Branch officials, who had done everything to ensure that Gawli alias Daddy does not see the light of freedom in the near future, were shocked when they learnt that the two gangsters have been seen rubbing shoulders in the jail in Taloja for the past few months.

According to police sources, Rajan is in touch with Rao through his contacts. "We are examining all the details," said Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Rakesh Maria.

Police sources added that the two gangsters came together after they found themselves locked in the anda cell. Both were together when they were shifted to the jail in Taloja in March.

Money talks

Former Crime Branch officials see the alliance as a strategic move to corner the moolah from the cash rich central Mumbai real estate.

The alliance can pose a major challenge to the D Company, who have been holding sway in central and south Mumbai.

Despite the slowdown, central Mumbai has seen large-scale expansion of real estate in the past few months. A huge amount goes to the underworld as protection money.

What has raised eyebrows in police circles is the fact that Rajan had planned the murder of Gawli and his men more than twenty years ago.

Gawli had escaped but his key associate Ashok Joshi and four others were killed in the ambush at Kaloke village near Panvel on December 4, 1987.

Show of strength

Gawli has been facing shortage of hirelings after most of his top lieutenants were gunned down in encounters. Rajan was lying low after the attempt on his life in 2000 and the arrest of his wife Sujata.

D K Rao, who is considered Rajan's points man in the city, has been told to recruit new gang members. Rao has recruited dozens of robbers in the past few years, who have graduated into shooters.
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The police fear that the lower rung members of both the gangs could begin working together soon.

Gawli saga

Gawli's downfall started after the Crime Branch arrested him in connection with an extortion case. He was slapped with the MCOCA Act on April 28, 2008.

He was booked for allegedly masterminding the murder of corporator Kamlakar Jamsandikar.

Gawli alias big 'Daddy' of Dagdi chawl may find himself free again as he remained neutral during the recent parliamentary elections. The MCOCA charges have been dropped.

Gawli-Rajan connect

Gawli and Rajan worked together when they were part of Rama Naik's gang. Dawood Ibrahim was then an underling.

Rajan and Dawood finally teamed up and murdered Rama Naik in 1987. Gawli then took over the reins of the gang.

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