Rajdeo Ranjan story got him killed

Slain journalist Rajdeo Ranjan’s story on law and order may have been the reason behind his killing.

The gruesome killing of the Siwan-based senior journalist remained unsolved even after 24 hours. The police has so far arrested four persons in connection with the murder, including one sharp shooter, Upendra Singh. Singh, a close aide of former RJD MP and Siwan don Mohammed Shahabuddin, was picked up for questioning on Saturday.

The police says Upendra Singh was earlier involved in the murder of BJP leader Srikant Bharti, who was killed in Siwan in 2014.

According to the journalists in Siwan, Ranjan’s stories against the deteriorating law and order had disturbed criminals. According to a source close to the slain journalist, “He used to receive threat calls from local criminals.” He added, “Due to his stories he had even made Shahabuddin his enemy.”

Mohammed Shahabuddin is currently serving his jail term in connection with cases related to murder and kidnapping.

The CCTV footage of the area where the journalist was killed is also being checked by the police. Rajdeo was cremated on Saturday in Siwan. He is survived by his wife, son and a daughter. Both his children are students. His wife is a teacher.

The journalists protesting against the killing demanded speedy investigation from chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Rajdeo was set to celebrate his marriage anniversary on Saturday, his friends told this newspaper from Siwan.