They said an SMS was purportedly sent from the cell phone of Chhota Shakeel, a close aide of fugutive mob boss Dawood Ibrahim, to a senior Tihar jail official threatening to eliminate Chhota Rajan, prompting the senior officer to seek additional security for him.
The SMS was sent from mobile number 971504265138 to the cell phone of Tihar Law Officer Sunil Gupta, threatening 'The End' of Chhota Rajan very soon, sources said. A call had also been received on Tihar's landline number following the SMS after which Rajan's security has been enhanced.
"How long will you save this dead pig from death, very soon I will do his the end," the message by "Haji Chhota Shakeel" said.
A Special Cell officer confirmed the receipt of the message by the Tihar official without disclosing anything else.
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Gupta had received the SMS in the morning of November 24 last year after which he brought the matter into the knowledge of higher ups and sought security for himself and his family, sources said. The matter is now being investigated by police.
After being on the run for 27 years, Chhota Rajan was arrested in Bali (Indonesia) on October 25 on a Red Corner notice of Interpol.
In New Delhi he was sent to 14-day judicial custody by a local court and lodged in the high-security Tihar jail on November 19.
Rajan, once a Dawood Ibrahim confidante, has been brought to the country to face trial in over 70 cases of murder, extortion and drug smuggling.
Ever since his arrival, Rajan has been questioned by various investigating agencies. He has been making claims of having further evidence to nail India's most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim and his links with Pakistan's external snooping agency ISI.