Chhota Rajan

Chhota Rajan
Rajan in the early 1990s
Born
Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje

(1957-01-13) 13 January 1957
NationalityIndian
Other namesRajan
Chota Rajan
Occupations
Years active1978–2015
Known for
PredecessorBada Rajan
OpponentDawood Ibrahim
SpouseSujata Nikalje
Children3
ConvictionMurder of Jyotirmoy Dey (2011)

Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje (born 13 January 1957), popularly known by his moniker Chhota Rajan, is an Indian gangster and convicted criminal who was the crime lord of a major Mumbai-based syndicate.

Rajan was extradited from Bali to India on 6 November 2015 after 27 years on the run and awaited trials for ongoing cases in custody. On 2 May 2018, he was convicted of murder of a journalist and handed life imprisonment. He was convicted of murder of a hotelier and handled rigorous life imprisonment on 30 May 2024. In India, this was the sixth case in which Chotta Rajan was convicted since his deportation.