The supreme court on Friday issued notices to RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin and Bihar health minister Tej Pratap Yadav, who is the son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in connection with journalist Rajdeo Ranjan murder case.
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“Issue notice to Bihar govt and the investigating agency, CBI Notice also issues to Bihar govt and CBI”, a division bench of the Apex Court headed by Justice Dipak Misra and Justice C. Nagappan, said after hearing the petition filed by Asha Ranjan, the wife of the deceased journaliist. The apex court also made a decision to monitor the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the journalist’s murder.
The apex court also issued notice to Shahabuddin seeking his response over allegations that the journalist was killed on his instructions.
A picture of Tej Pratap with one of the accused+ wanted in the Rajdeo Ranjan murder case had went viral, prompting the opposition in Bihar to sharpen its attack on the ruling grand alliance.
Mohammad Kaif, the alleged shooter, surrendered to the Bihar police this week.
The accused, Mohammad Kaif alias Bunty, is an associate of Shahabuddin+ and was seen in another set of pictures standing next to the murder convict when he was released from the Bhagalpur jail.
“Main accused in Rajdeo Ranjan murder, Mohammad Kaif is the shooter of Shahabuddin, who is an RJD leader”.
Kaif’s photograph with state Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav and Shahabuddin had triggered a controversy.
“So many people take pictures with me, we dont know everyone do we?”
The court also sought a status report from the CBI, which was asked to probe the case earlier this month. They dont have it written on their faces, Tej Pratap Yadav said.
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The Supreme Court ordered the police in Bihar’s Siwan, where Ranjan’s wife lives, to provide protection to the journalist’s family.
