Journalist’s Murder: CBI Takes Over Police Custody of Indian Politician
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday took over the police custody of former Member of Parliament (MP) and resident of Siwan (Bihar) in a case relating to alleged murder of Rajdeo Ranjan, a journalist.
It is said that Ranjan had been writing against Mohammad Shahabuddin, a former Rashtriya Janata Dal MP, who was serving a life sentence in prison in connection with the murder of two brothers.
Media reports suggest that CBI may conduct lie-detector test on Shahabuddin in Rajdeo Ranjan murder case.
CBI had registered the case last year on the request of Bihar Government and further notification from the Government of India and took over the investigation of FIR No. 362/2016 dated 13.05.2016, earlier registered at Police Station: Siwan (Bihar) under Section 302/120-B/34 of IPC and Section 27 of Arms Act against unknown persons.
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It was alleged in the FIR that Rajdeo Ranjan (deceased) received a phone call in the evening and thereafter he left the office of Hindustan Newspaper and went towards Station Road.
It was further alleged that at about 7:30 pm, when he reached the fruit market near the Station, he was intercepted by unknown persons, who shot him dead.
Crime in Indian Politics
World’s top magazine The Economist says “a penchant for criminality is an electoral asset in India.” The magazine has published data about the political success of India’s “accused murderers, blackmailers, thieves, and kidnappers,” saying that 34% of India’s members of parliament (MPs) in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges filed against them. Read the full report.
The Bihar police had filed chargesheet against six accused on 20.08.2016 under Section 120 B of IPC r/w 302 and 34 of IPC and Section 27 of Arms Act.
During investigation, CBI had earlier taken over the police custody of three accused persons with reference to their involvement in this incident.
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After investigation, CBI had filed chargesheet under Section 120 B of IPC r/w 302 and 34 of IPC and Section 27 of Arms Act against one accused on 23.12.2016 and further investigation was kept open.
During investigation, according to CBI, certain oral, documentary and circumstantial evidences have emerged. In view of the circumstances emerged during investigation, the Special Judge for CBI cases, Muzaffarpur (Bihar) has granted 8 days of police custody of said accused, resident of Siwan (Bihar).
The role of the arrested accused is being looked into in the conspiracy of alleged murder of deceased Rajdeo Ranjan. CBI informed that further investigation in the case is continuing.
