NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday sent notices to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Yadav’s son and Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav and gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin in connection with the murder of Siwan journalist Rajdeo Ranjan.
"Issue notice to Bihar govt and the investigating agency, CBI Notice also issues to Bihar govt and CBI," a division bench of the Apex Court headed by Justice Dipak Misra and Justice C. Nagappan, said after hearing the petition filed by Asha Ranjan, the wife of the deceased journaliist.
The apex court has given both two weeks time to submit their replies. The apex court also decided to monitor the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the journalist’s murder.
The top court also ordered protection to the family of the slain journalist and fixed October 17, the next date of hearing in the case.
Kislay Pandey, the lawyer appearing for the petitioner Asha Ranjan, the wife of the murdered journalist, said the court was made aware of the politico-criminal nexus working in Bihar.
“The Supreme Court has directed the law enforcement authorities to ensure the safety and security of the Ranjan family. The CBI hasn’t conducted the investigation as yet. The court has taken cognizance,” he told the reporters.
Ranjan, a journalist with over 20 years of experience and the bureau chief of the Hindi daily Hindustan, was shot dead in Bihar's Siwan district.
Five shots were fired at him from extremely close range near Siwan's railway station. Ranjan was rushed to the hospital where he was declared brought dead.