Devanandan, Anchan and Shyam Ayamen (left to right). MUMBAI, July 20: Three Chhota Rajan aides - Dhananjaya Anchan, Mullan Devanandan and Shyam Sunder Ayamen - who were executed last week, made every conceivable effort to escape the firing squad.The three were accused of gunning down Dawood Ibrahim gunman, Sunil Sawant, and his companion, Mujibullah Musailamah on August 4, 1995 in full public view at Naif Road in Dubai.In their statements, the trio said that they were deceived by Chhota Rajan who claimed to have plenty of clout with the Sheikhs of Dubai. They were led to believe that no harm will come to them and even if arrested would be rescued eventually. Later however, to their utter amazement they discovered that even Dawood Ibrahim could not rescue them from the impending execution on December 30 1996.The execution was delayed only because Sawant's wife was brought to Dubai for mercy plea in exchange of Diyat (blood money). However, for fear of reprisals from the rival gangsters she refused to accept the Diyat.In a last-ditch effort to influence the death sentence, moments before their execution on Friday morning, even as the hood was tightened on the faces of the trio, Ayamen said that he wanted to embrace Islam. Devanandan voiced a similar desire. They hoped that by doing this, their death sentence would be traded for life imprisonment. Hearing this request, the attorney general, Ibrahim Bu Melha was thrown in a moral dilemma. However, a Muslim priest was summoned and the duo were converted into Islam.Meanwhile, the city-based families of the executed gang members have appealed to the Emirates authorities that the bodies be handed over to them for the last rites as per Hindu customs.According to a communication faxed by the consulate general of India in Dubai, the appeal has been made to the chief of police and public prosecutor there. The families of the trio reside in Chembur, where the Chhota Rajan gang has its base, police sources said.
