Call it the clout of former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin or the fear his name generates, the police now face the challenge of finding witnesses in the murder of Rajdeo Ranjan, the bureau chief of Hindi daily Hindustan. Ranjan was shot by five gunmen in a public place on May 13.
No witnesses have come forward so far to record their statements. In such a situation, police just have scientific evidence, if it has remained intact, to bank on. Although the government had announced that it would hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the agency has not taken any action even after a week. The police will continue with their probe until the agency takes over.
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“We are continuing with the investigation. Our focus is on the shooter. He has been identified and the search is on to nab him,” said Ajit Kumar Rai, DIG, Saran range.
In Siwan, fearful locals refuse to speak about the incident, even to the media. Police, meanwhile, are yet to arrest the shooters.
{{/usCountry}}In Siwan, fearful locals refuse to speak about the incident, even to the media. Police, meanwhile, are yet to arrest the shooters.
{{/usCountry}}Another example of Shahabuddin’s clout was evident when the police carried out raids in the prison after he was shifted to Bhagalpur special central jail following Opposition uproar.
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Vidhu Bhardwaj, superintendent of Siwan district jail, said the police recovered 17 mobiles and three SIM cards buried underground. “We have lodged an FIR against unidentified persons with the Mufassil police station. The police will examine who all were contacted through the mobiles and in whose names the SIM cards are registered,” he added.
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