CBI begins probe into Bihar scribe murder case

The eight-member team of the CBI began its probe in journalist Rajdeo Ranjan murder case on Saturday. According to the Siwan police, all relevant documents and files related to the murder case was handed over to the investigating agency on Friday.

The CBI had earlier registered case against unknown persons under Section 302 (murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 34of the IPC and 27 of the Arms Act.

The state government had constituted a special investigating team to probe the matter after the slain journalist’s wife, Asha Devi, had lodged an FIR on May 13. The police had earlier nabbed a few accused, including Laddan Mian.

The suspicion over Shahbuddin’s involvement had deepened after Laddan’s name figured in the case. Laddan Mian, according to police sources, is close to Shahbuddin. The police had also raided Shahbuddin’s cell in Siwan jail on May 18 and he was transferred to Bhagalpur jail on May 20. Asha Devi and his father Radhe Krishna Chaudhary had demanded a CBI investigation after Shahbuddin’s name surfaced in the case.

The police has launched a crackdown against Mohammad Kaif, who is another key accused in the murder case. The police had raided his residential premises on Friday after he was found standing near Shahbuddin last week while he was being released from Bhagalpur jail.

Journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, bureau chief of a newspaper, was murdered in a busy market area near Siwan railway station on May 13.