CBI Begins Probe Into Murder of Bihar Journalist Rajdev Ranjan

The scribe, working with a vernacular daily, was shot dead on 13 May in Siwan town by some sharp-shooters.

Rajdev Ranjan, Siwan bureau chief of Hindi newspaper Hindustan. (Photo Courtesy: ANI/LiveHindustan)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) formally launched an investigation into the murder of journalist Rajdev Ranjan, a police officer said on Saturday.

The CBI has taken over from Bihar’s Siwan police, who handed over all documents related to the case to the eight-member team.

This comes after Asha Ranjan, the wife of slain journalist, moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking transfer of probe and trial in the murder case to Delhi from Siwan.

She had alleged that two absconding killers of her husband, Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed, were seen in the company of recently released RJD leader Shahabuddin, Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav and the Superintendent of Police, Siwan.

On the basis of preliminary investigations, the local police have already said that Ranjan’s killing was the result of a premeditated conspiracy.

The CBI registered the case under Sections 302 (murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (an act done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 27 of the Arms Act against unknown assailants, on the request of the Bihar government and a subsequent notification issued by the central government.

Ranjan was shot dead on 13 May in a busy market area near Station Road in Siwan district of Bihar. He was the Siwan bureau chief of Hindi news daily Hindustan.