Facing flak over controversial RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin’s release from jail, the Bihar government is preparing to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the bail granted to him by the Patna High Court.
“This has been an established process followed by Nitish Kumar government in the past 11 years that if the state is not satisfied with the bail of somebody, it goes in appeal in higher court,” JD(U) spokesperson Ajay Alok said.
“The state government has decided to appeal against the Patna High Court bail to Shahabuddin in the apex court,” an official said.
The release of Shahabuddin, a RJD functionary facing multiple cases and who was behind bars for 11 years, has exposed friction within the Grand Alliance after Shahabuddin said Nitish Kumar “was a CM due to circumstances”.
While this was so, the Bharatiya Janata Party compared Shahabuddin’s release from jail as a return to “jungle raaj” in Bihar.
“There is no need to worry. Both Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar are matured leaders. Everyone will become calm after giving statements. No one should worry about it. Nitish Kumar will not compromise on Bihar’s law and order situation. Few people are doing this to come in the limelight…but this has no importance,” said Ali Anwar, a JD (U) leader.
Rashtriya Janata Party (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav made no move to caution his party member. And what’s more, Mohammad Kaif a known sharpshooter involved in the murder of Rajdeo Ranjan, a prominent Siwan journalist, was seen accompanying the don when he was released from jail. He even travelled in Shahabuddin’s 300-car convoy from Bhagalpur to Siwan.
A notice would be sent to Shahabuddin in this connection and police would also question him on it, Siwan SP Saurav Kumar Sah said.
Meanwhile, Siwan SP Sah said the district police was scrutinising if any condition of the bail has been violated in the case of Shahabuddin.
“If any evidence comes to the surface indicating violation of condition of bail we will move for cancellation of bail in the case,” the SP said.
The chief minister recently held a long meeting with Advocate General Ram Balak Mahto and Additional Advocate General Lalit Kishore over the Shahabuddin release issue.
