Special CBI court frames charges against former RJD MP Shahabuddin

A special CBI court on Tuesday framed charges against former MP Shahabuddin and seven others in connection with journalist Rajdeo Ranjan murder case. Besides RJD strongman, charges have also been framed against Azahruddin Beig alias Laddan Mian, Vijay Kumar Gupta, Rishu Kumar Jaiswal, Rajesh Kumar, Rohit Kumar Sony, Sonu Kumar Gupta, and Sonu Kumar Sony. The court has fixed February 12 as the next date of hearing.

The four-time RJD MP from Siwan and other accused have been charged under Indian Penal Code sections 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) and 302 (punishment for murder) as well as section 34 of the Arms Act. Shahabuddin is alleged to have been involved in the murder of Ranjan, a journalist of a prominent Hindi daily in the district.

Bihar: Charges framed against former MP Shahabuddin(in file pic) and seven others in Journalist Rajdev Ranjan murder case. Next hearing on February 12 pic.twitter.com/QmPKHfMVq0

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019

Ranjan was gunned down on May 13, 2016, and his wife has accused Shahabuddin of having a role in the killing. The CBI had last year filed a chargesheet against all of them in a Muzaffarpur court.

The former RJD MP is facing trial in more than 45 criminal cases. He was moved to Tihar Jail in the national capital in February 2017 on a Supreme Court order following a plea by Siwan resident Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons were allegedly killed on behest of Shahabuddin.