Bihar scribe murder: Forensic team to assist CBI probe

The CBI has decided to send a team of forensic experts from its Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL—Delhi) to Siwan to assist the agency sleuths investigating the murder case of Bihar journalist Rajdeo Ranjan.

Sources said experts will collect all possible forensic evidence from the spot as well as from the state police. Forensic experts will leave for Siwan in a day or two. Ranjan, bureau chief of a Hindi daily, was shot dead by criminals near a fruit market in Siwan district on May 13.

“If required forensic experts may also seek clarifications from the Bihar police as the case was initially investigated by the latter. The agency officials, who are already there in Siwan, are expected to re-create the crime scene in the presence of forensic experts only”, sources said. Two bullets were fired at Ranjan that hit on his head and neck. He was rushed to a hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.

The Bihar government had transferred the case to CBI. The state government had issued a notification requesting the CBI to take over the investigation of the murder case, a demand made by the kin of the journalist who was killed on May 13. “In exercise of the powers conferred under section 6 of Delhi Police Establishment Act 1946 (Act 25 of 1946), the Governor of Bihar is pleased to accord his consent to exercise of powers and jurisdiction to the whole of Bihar to the members of Delhi Special Police Establishment to investigate/ supervise and inquire into the Siwan Town P.S. Case No. 362/16, dated May 13, 2016 u/s 302/120 (B)/34 IPC and 27 Arms Act which is related to murder of reporter Rajdeo Ranjan,” the notification issued by Bihar home department had read. The case has again come into limelight as a picture appeared of absconding suspects with Shahbuddin.