NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today set aside the Patna High Court order granting bail to controversial RJD leader Shahabuddin in a murder case.
The apex court ordered that either the gangster-turned- politician should surrender or Bihar Police should take him in custody "forthwith". A bench comprising Justice P C Ghose and Amitava Roy directed the state government and the lower court to ensure that the trial in the Rajiv Roshan murder case is concluded "expeditiously as contemplated under the law".
Meanwhile, the court issued notice to Shahabuddin and Bihar government on another plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to him in a murder case of two brothers of Roshan. Shahabuddin has been awarded life imprisonment in the twin murder case and the Patna High Court had granted him bail in this matter as well.
The apex court, which yesterday reserved its verdict on two appeals challenging the grant of bail to him by the Patna High Court, had rebuked Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government, which has RJD as its coalition partner, for its lax approach in opposing the bail granted to the RJD strongman in various cases at different judicial forums including the High Court.