Shahabuddin to be shifted to Siwan jail

Shahabuddin, the MP from Siwan, has been held at the high-security Bhagalpur central prison for the past six months.

The Bihar government on Sunday decided to shift controversial RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, charged with several serious crimes including sedition, to Siwan jail to speed up the trial of cases against him.

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"The government has decided to shift the MP from Bhagalpur jail to Siwan jail tomorrow," Chief Secretary GS Kang said.

Shahabuddin, the MP from Siwan, has been held at the high-security Bhagalpur central prison for the past six months.

Top officials, including Home commissioner Afzal Amanullah, Inspector General of Prisons KK Khandelwal and Additional Director General of Police (headquarters) Abhayanand, held a meeting following which the order to transfer the MP was issued, Kang said.

"We have directed authorities in Siwan to make necessary security arrangements," he said.

Media reports had suggested there was a difference of opinion between Siwan District Magistrate SK Mall and Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar over shifting the MP.

The reports had said Mall did not favour Shahabuddin's transfer to Siwan, as he feared his presence there could "vitiate" the atmosphere there, particularly during upcoming panchayat polls.