A special court has sentenced underworld figure Chota Rajan to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with a long-standing passport forgery case. The conviction concludes a legal process that originated from an investigation launched by federal authorities on March 19, 2002.

The case centered on allegations that Rajan, whose real name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, successfully applied for and obtained a passport from the Regional Passport Office in Chennai by submitting fabricated documents. Prosecutors argued that this act constituted a deliberate attempt to cheat government authorities and bypass standard security protocols. The investigation into these activities began over two decades ago, following the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) detailing the fraudulent application process.

While the court has now delivered its verdict, the case highlights the complex legal history surrounding the gangster, who has faced numerous charges across multiple jurisdictions. The defense had previously contested the validity of the evidence presented by the prosecution, though the court ultimately found the documentation sufficient to warrant the seven-year sentence. This ruling adds to the existing legal challenges facing Rajan, who remains a high-profile figure in Indian criminal justice proceedings.