Ex-RJD MP Shahabuddin Out on Bail After 11 Years, Dismisses Nitish

The RJD strongman got bail in a case of murder of a witness in the killing of his two brothers in Siwan.

Former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin was given bail after 11 years in prison. (Photo: ANI)

Former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin on Saturday was released from Bhagalpur central jail after Patna High Court has granted him bail in the Rajiv Raushan murder case on Wednesday.

The RJD strongman was involved in the murder of Rajiv Raushan, who was the prime witness in another murder case of Shahabuddin’s two brothers in his native village in Siwan.

The state government in a systematic manner paved the way for release of Mohammad Shahabuddin, who is part of the RJD top policy-making body, from jail.

Sushil Kumar Modi, Senior BJP Leader

The bail means that Shahabuddin would come out of jail after a gap of 11 years. He has acquired bail in other cases against him too.

On release, Shahabuddin told reporters, “We all know I was framed. But it was the Court who jailed me, Court has released me.”

This has got nothing to do with politics, judicial has its own procedures. Why would I try to change my image? People have accepted me the way I am for 26 years.

Mohammad Shahabuddin

Sushil Modi, who is leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Council, sought to know “if the state government planned to impose Crime Control Act (CCA) on Shahabuddin like the one done on expelled JD(U) MLA Anant Singh”.

“The way Shahabuddin sustained his rein of terror in Siwan despite being behind the bars, the very news of his coming out of jail is instilling fear among citizens,” he said.

The Political Kerfuffle Begins

On cue, Shahabuddin’s release has led to a political sparring in the state, sparked off by Shahabuddin himself.

My leader is Lalu Yadav. He [Nitish Kumar] is a chief minister of circumstance.

Mohammad Shahabuddin

This, after the BJP lashed out against his release calling it a “well-planned strategy” by Nitish Kumar-led government; they have since called for protests across Bihar on 14 September.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Pappu Singh, making clear that Shahabuddin was no the agenda of Bihar, strongly rejected his statement: “Who has not been a minister of circumstances in this country? People like Sardar Patel and Lal Bahadur Shastri used to be thoughtful leaders. Now there is no thoughtful leader in this country.”

Attempts to downplay Shahabuddin’s aggressive comment against the leader of the mahagatbandhan seem to be the modus operandi of all those related to the RJD-JD(U) alliance, albeit with a tinge of allegiance.

The members of the grand alliance took a call on Nitish Kumar as their chief ministerial candidate. The leaders had already decided, but I didn’t agree with it. But, we had to agree. 

Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Former RJD MP 

He nonchalantly dismissed Shahabuddin’s comment by saying that people will of course praise their leaders. The former MP also criticised BJP for playing unnecessary politics over Shahabuddin’s release.

Nitish Kumar has also come out in response to Shahabuddin’s dismissal. “Doesn’t matter what a person says, people of Bihar know the mandate,” said Kumar when asked to comment on Sunday. 

(With inputs from ANI)