Shooter, wanted in journalist Rajdeo Ranjan's murder case, spotted with Shahabuddin

Shooter Mohammad Kaif, is wanted in journalist Rajdeo Ranjan's murder case.

Pic courtsey: ANI

Siwan: Shooter Mohammad Kaif, who is wanted in journalist Rajdeo Ranjan's murder case, was spotted with Mohammad Shahabuddin on September 10, the day the RJD strongman walked out of prison on bail after 11 years.

Kaif was said to be absconding by the police.

Shahabuddin's close associate Laddan Mian is in jail in connection with the scribe's murder and though the inquiry into it has so far not named the RJD strongman, he was shifted to Bhagalpur divisional jail from Siwan a little after the incident.

Nitish Kumar government had recommended CBI probe into the murder on demand of the journalist's family.

Reacting to the revelation, Siwan SP, Saurabh Shah said, "Police probe against the accused (Mohammad Kaif) in case (journalist Rajdev Ranjan murder case) is underway."

"Essential raids are being conducted. Have received new photos which are being analyzed, they'll be arrested soon," the police officer added.

Ranjan, 46, Siwan bureau chief with Hindi daily Hindustan, was shot dead in May this year. He had covered former MP  Shahabuddin's crime and court reports.

Shahabuddin, is a member of RJD National Committee - the top decision-making body of the party and is said to be close to Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Various pending cases against him were reopened and he was sent to jail after Nitish Kumar had assumed power in Bihar in 2005.

Shahabuddin got reprieve on Wednesday when Patna High Court granted him bail in a case of murder of a witness in the 2004 killing of two brothers in Siwan.  

He had got bail in nearly 12 other cases earlier.

(With PTI inputs)