SC to decide on petition against bail granted to RJD leader Shahabuddin on Sept 28

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred for two days the hearing on two appeals challenging Patna High Court granting bail to controversial RJD leader Mohd Shahabuddin in a murder case, as noted criminal lawyer Ram Jethmalani who would argue for him was not available.

A bench comprising Justices P C Ghose and Amitava Roy listed the matter for hearing on Wednesday saying it has to strike a balance between the interests of both the parties. One of the lawyers, representing Shahabuddin, urged that the matter be taken up on Friday as Jethmalani was not available and moreover voluminous case records needed to be studied for proper defence.

 "Since there are allegations and counter allegations being made in the case, we shall not pass any order without hearing both the sides. We are fixing it on Wednesday (September 28)," the bench said. Senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, also appearing for Shahabuddin, said his client has been suffering from media trial and should be given adequate opportunity to present his case.

 Shahabuddin, who was granted bail by the Patna High Court on September 7, was released from Bhagalpur jail on September 10. He was in jail for 11 years in connection with dozens of cases against him. On September 19, the apex court had sought a response from Shahabuddin on a separate plea filed by Siwan resident Chandrakeshwar Prasad, challenging the bail granted to him by Patna High Court, in the murder case of his third son.

The apex court is also hearing a separate plea filed by the widow of journalist Rajdev Ranjan, who was murdered in Siwan allegedly at the instance of Shahabuddin, seeking transfer of the case to Delhi. Kalawati Devi, wife of Chandrakeshwar Prasad and the mother of three youths who were brutally killed by henchmen of the controversial politician, had also moved the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of bail granted to him in the case in which he has already been sentenced to life. 

Earlier today, the Supreme Court was to hear petition against bail granted by Patna High Court to RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin on Monday. A petition was filed by Chandababu and Bihar government against bail granted to Shahabuddin.

Shahabuddin was present his response in the Supreme Court on Monday. Chandrashekhar Prasad also known as Chandababu is the father of three brothers who lost their lives in Bihar, Chandababu said in his petition  that there is atmosphere of fear ever since Shahabuddin’s release from jail.

Complainant has said that Patna High Court has granted bail to Shahabuddin without considering statements of any witness. Also the High Court neglected the fact that Shahabuddin is also accused of murder of a journalist Rajdev Ranjan in Siwan. 

Lawyer P.Bhushan told SC there were 45 cases against Shahabuddin, out of which 9 are murder cases, & 10 cases he had been convicted in

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 26, 2016 

Shahabuddin's lawyer asked for more time to respond in the matter.

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 26, 2016  

Bhushan told the division bench that Shahabuddin is a serious threat to the society if his bail is not cancelled.

— ANI (@ANI_news) September 26, 2016

(With inputs from PTI)