Bihar Govt likely to challenge Shahabuddin's bail in Apex court

Facing flak over controversial RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin’s release, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar is mulling moving the Supreme Court for cancellation of his bail even as opposition NDA demanded his arrest in the journalist Rajdeo Ranjan murder case.

“This has been an established process followed by Nitish Kumar government in the past 11 years that if the state is not satisfied with the bail of somebody, it goes in appeal in higher court,” JD(U) spokesman Ajay Alok said.

“It has been done in the past and would be followed in the present case of Shahabuddin too,” he said.

He said in such cases the concerned district administration makes a proposal if any condition of the bail has been violated and an appeal is moved for cancellation of bail.

(Read More: Shooter wanted in Siwan journalist murder case spotted with Shahabuddin)

Chandrakeshwar Prasad of Siwan, whose three of four sons were murdered allegedly by gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin, on Thursday file an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging Patna High Court’s order granting bail to the former RJD MP.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan’s office said they were giving final shape to the petition in which they are challenging how bail can be given to a “history sheeter”.

“We are filing the appeal on behalf of victims’ father Chandrakeshwar Prasad alias Chandra Babu. We are on way to give final shape to the appeal and it will be filed tomorrow in which several grounds are taken.

(Read More: Lalu Prasad Yadav defends Mohammad Shahabuddin)

“We will be challenging how bail has been given to a person who is a history sheeter. Facts are being verified about the number of cases etc and convictions that have taken place against him,” advocate Rohit Singh from Bhushan’s office said.

With BJP questioning delay in appeal for cancellation of bail, the JD(U) spokesman said courts were closed for festival and hence it is wrong to talk about delay.

Meanwhile, Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah said the district police was scrutinising if any condition of the bail has been violated in the case of Shahabuddin, a former RJD MP.

“If any evidence comes to the surface indicating violation of condition of bail we will move for cancellation of bail in the case,” the SP said.

(Read More: Shahabuddin justifies his ‘circumstantial’ comment on Nitish, calls Lalu Yadav his only leader)

The SP had said yesterday the police has taken cognisance of photograph of absconding suspects Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed in the killing of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan with Mohammad Shahabuddin after his release from Bhagalpur jail on Saturday last on bail granted by Patna High Court.

Notice would be send to Shahabuddin in this connection and police would also question him on it.