By Team Mangalorean

MANGALORE, November 10, 2009: Rajendra alias Bannanje Raja internationally wanted criminal has been arrested in Dubai. According to a source in Dubai police Raja was first arrested on October 11 in Dubai when he was trying to sneak out of UAE with a fake passport, but he was later bailed out by a rich Indian origin businessman based in United Kingdom paying hefty sum as bail money. But this time he has been caught for good.

When he was arrested last time he was eligible for bail but this time the Indian home ministry has issued a red corner notice initiated by the Mangalore police which will nail him said Mr. Venkatesh Prasanna chief of the DCIB Mangalore. This will enable the Interpol to hand him over to the Karnataka Police as the Mangalore and Bangalore police have the first right over his custody. He said Raja is expected to be in India within a week.

Following the red corner notice, Dubai Police had set a trap and rearrested Raja after he was identified as one of the most wanted criminals in India. According to Major Salem Al Rumaithi, Director of Wanted Section at the General Department of Criminal Investigation, Raja has been arrested on charges of being the mastermind of a gang involved in blackmailing and running prostitution dens in Bangalore. "After receiving the warrant, we arrested the suspect in one of the emirates and he was referred to the Dubai Public Prosecution," Al Rumaithi said.

After his arrest, a delegation from India arrived, confirmed the suspect’s identity, and began extradition procedures. Investigations are continuing. Khaleej Times quoted Al Rumaithi saying that the suspect entered the UAE as an accountant of a firm.

According to sources in Mangalore Police Raja was wanted in 33 cases including the sensational murder of Subba Rao, Sheena murder case and many other cases of extortion and attempt to murder.

Raja belongs to Bannaje in Udupi town and he comes from a middle class family of Udupi was punter belonging to the Jayaprakash Rai group of Udupi, after the mysterious disappearance of Jayaprakash Rai, Bannaje Raja took control of the group and started a new extortion racket and soon became a group member of ‘D’ company. His parents still live in a place called Vakil garden on Bannanje Malpe Road, the small group that was with Bannanje Raja still operates from Udupi. Raja capitalized on the money that was flowing from the Gulf into Udupi during the real estate and construction boom in 1990s. But after the murder of Subbaraju a builder from Bangalore he left for Dubai.

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