Slain journalist family, BJP demand CBI probe

Jan Adhikar Party chief Pappu Yadav (right) meets Aditya Sachdeva’s father at his residence in Gaya. Aditya was allegedly killed by Rocky Yadav, the son of a JD(U) MLC, in a road rage incident. (Photo: PTI)

While the police is struggling for clues in the sensational murder of a senior journalist Rajdeo Ranjan his father Radha Krishna Chaudhary, along with the Opposition BJP, on Sunday demanded CBI probe into the incident.

Mr Chaudhary said, “Everyone knows who conspired to kill my son. I want CBI probe into the matter as I have no faith in the state police. I just want free and fair investigation”. Ranjan was killed point blank Friday by some unidentified motorcycle-borne criminals. Ranjan’s wife recalled that “after the murder of Srikant Bharti, he had once mentioned that someone was threatening him”

BJP senior leaders who had gathered in Siwan to protest the killing also demanded CBI investigation. According to them as well as local journalists, the modus operandi of the incident clearly indicates involvement of jailed Don and former RJD MP Mohammad Shahbuddin.

“We have strong doubts regarding proper and fair investigation into the killing. With the kind of political connection they have we all know what will be the outcome of the investigation and in such a scenario it would be better if the matter is handed over to the CBI”, senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said while referring to Shahbuddin who is in Siwan jail.

Meanwhile, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Sunday said he was saddened by the killing of the journalist in his state and promised swift action against the guilty. “Whatever is happening in Bihar has saddened me. I assure the people of the state that whoever is guilty will not be spared,” Mr Kumar told reporters here.

Facing attack from the NDA over the killing, Bihar deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav defended his party RJD and urged the bereaved family members to “have faith in Bihar police”. He also criticised the BJP for politicising the issue and said, “The BJP is doing negative politics on the issue for their own benefits. This is not right.”

He also defended Mohammad Shahbuddin and said, “BJP must not jump to any conclusion while investigation in the case is till on”.

BJP says Mr Shahbuddin’s reign of terror returned in Siwan after Nitish Kumar joined hands with Lalu Yadav and returned to power in November 2015. In April, Mohammad Shahbuddin was given a key position and was also included in the national executive of the RJD.

Former RJD MP Mohammad Shahbuddin who was earlier declared by the state police department as Type A history-sheeter, is facing a life term in a case related to abduction with an intent to murder which was awarded to him in the year 2007.