With the Mumbai Police on Monday claiming that gangster Chhota Rajan ordered Dey’s killing, it has come as a surprise to most of Dey’s close friends. Over the years, Dey had spoken to Rajan on several occasions, but was always careful not to cross the line. Had he been alive and told that Rajan was plotting to kill him, he would have laughed it off saying, “I am a very small man, why would Rajan want to bump me off?”
Ever since he was shot dead in Hiranandani, Powai, on a rainy afternoon of June 11, senior journalist J Dey and his professional and personal life has come under intense police and media scanner. A man who always maintained a high level of secrecy about himself, and was aggressively possessive about his life and family, has been discussed and his life has been scrutinised with a microscopic lens.
Several theories have been doing the rounds; some of them have even maligned the departed man’s image. One of the theories is the Dey had probably gotten “too close” to underworld gangs and crossed the line somewhere, which could have led to his eventual assassination.
However, those who have known Dey professionally over the years refuse to believe that theory. Even though Dey would get in touch with gangsters, it was always only for a news story. Never crossed the line. “Dey knew gangsters from all underworld gangs. In fact, he was among the few journalists in Mumbai who had access to almost all gangs, but never breached professional ethics,” said a journalist who has known Dey for more than a decade.
Fondly called Dada by fellow journalist, Dey was a gentle giant, who despite his towering personality was a soft-spoken individual always ready to help fellow journalists. He would especially reach out to young journalists and guide them.
