Supreme Court defers hearing on plea seeking transfer of Mohammad Shahabuddin to Tihar Jail

Patna: The Supreme Court on Thursday deferred its hearing till December 6 on the plea seeking shifting RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin from Siwan jail in Bihar to Tihar Central Jail in the national capital.

Notably, the Bihar government led by Nitish Kumar on Tuesday told the apex court that it is not "averse" to shifting of controversial Shahabuddin from Siwan jail to Tihar prison.

The government told the bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy that Shahabuddin has been facing trial in 45 cases including one in Jharkhand.

The state government, in which RJD is a coalition partner, concurred with stand of CBI which has already agreed to suggestion of the apex court that alleged history sheeter be shifted to Delhi as his continous presence in Bihar may adversely impact the trials in various pending criminal cases against him.

Shahabuddin was granted bail by the Patna High Court on September 7 and was released from Bhagalpur jail on September 10.

He was in jail for 11 years in connection with dozens of cases against him.

Slain journalist Rajdeo Ranjan`s widow Asha Ranjan had filed a plea in the apex court seeking to shift Shahabuddin from the Siwan to the Tihar jail so that witnesses in her husband`s murder case are not influenced.