SC issues notice to Tej Pratap and Shahabuddin, asks Bihar govt to provide security to slain journaist’s family

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi: Supreme Court of India on Friday directed Bihar government to provide security cover to family members of  Rajdev Ranjan,a Hindi newspaper journalist of Siwan, who was gunned down at Siwan on May 13 this year. The order was issued on a petition filed by Asha Ranjan, widow of the slain journalist. She had alleged her husband was killed on the instructions of the RJD vice-president Mohammad Shahbuddin.
A division bench of Justice Dipak Mishra and C Nagappan of Supreme Court also issued show cause notices to Bihar government and health minister Tejpratap Yadav and asked them too submit their replies within two weeks. Asha, in her peitition, alleged Tej Pratap harboured Mohammad Kaif, an alleged sharpshooter who was involved in killing of her husband. Kaif’s photogaphs with Tejpratap had appeared in newspaers and social media. Tej Pratap is son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad. The SC also sought response of Shahabuddin on Asha Ranjan’s petition.
She demanded an FIR against Shahbuddin, released on bail on September 10, and Tejpratap should be registered in New Delhi as law and order has deteriorated in Bihar and crime have increased. The court issued notice to Siwan SP seeking his reply. Asha Ranjan had moved SC seeking transfer of the case to New Delhi from Siwan. The court directed the CBI to proceed with its investigation into Rajdeo murder case and file status report before the court on October 17.
While hearing her petition, the court expressed its concern over rising nexus between politcians and criminals.
At Patna,Tejpratap pleaded innocence saying hundreds of people meet him daily and it was difficult to distnguish between a normal and criminal person.