Cops are wondering if Chhota Rajan hinted at Ubed-ur-Rehman's involvement in the shootout because he couldn't control the rebel lieutenant himself

The Mumbai Police is beginning to suspect that gangster Chhota Rajan's key lieutenant Ubed-ur-Rehman could have turned a 'rogue' and spun out of the don's control. These facts came to light after police intercepted and analysed conversations that give reasonable grounds to believe that Rajan disclosed the identity of one of his most trusted lieutenants, Rehman, by hinting at his complicity in the Bhendi Bazaar shootout last week. It is almost like giving the contract killer away, said police sources.


Scene of crime: Cops investigate the spot at Bori Mohalla in Bhendi
Bazaar where Iqbal Kaskar's bodyguard was killed on May 17. File Pic

Rehman's exit could weaken the Rajan gang further, more so after the gunning of his top aide Farid Tanasha at his Tilak Nagar residence last year, cops said.Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy said he is checking all possible angles, including Rajan's comments in intercepted conversations that he did not stop Rehman from attacking Iqbal Kaskar's residence at Bori Bazaar on May 17.

However, Rajan also told some of his associates that he did not ask Rehman to storm Iqbal's stronghold. A possible reason for this could be that Rajan's former associate, DK Rao, shared some close moments with Iqbal Kaskar when the two were lodged in Mumbai's Arthur Road prison. They shared food and exchanged pleasantries during visits to the city's courtroom, sources said. Allegedly, the amicable bond had even extended between Kaskar and Rajan.u00a0

At the same time, he did not stop him from the shootout either, a fact confirmed by top officials. The theory doing the rounds in police circles is that Rajan named Rehman almost two years after he joined, during which he was involved in four or more killings, possibly because the mysterious gangster had turned 'rogue'.

Police analysis indicates that Rajan could have claimed he did not order the attack on Dawood's sibling, keeping in mind the safety of his family in Mumbai. Disclosing Rehman's identity might make him vulnerable to rival attacks, more so if he is shuttling between countries in south-east Asia, sources said. Insiders said that Rehman could have broken away from Rajan and started his own gang. He could have ordered the firing at Dawood's Nagpada stronghold to gain recognition in the upper echelons of Mumbai's underworld.