Indian journalist murder: Main shooter says he got killing contract from Shahabuddin’s aide, Rs 15,000 in advance

PATNA: Police in Bihar claimed to have solved the murder case involving Siwan journalist Rajdeo Ranjan by arresting five criminals today.

All the arrested criminals are said to be the sharp shooters and were allegedly hired by Laddan Miyan, alleged to be the close aide of jailed RJD politician Mohammad Shahabuddin.

Among the arrested criminals is Rohit Kumar who is the main shooter in the case. Police said he has confessed his involvement in the crime.

According to the police, the main shooter revealed he killed the journalist after taking Rs 15,000.

The shooters had fled to Uttar Pradesh after committing the crime, police said.

Reports said the police have also recovered the bike and weapons used to kill Rajdeo, a local district bureau chief of prominent Hindi-language daily, Hindustan.

The major breakthrough comes about a week after Shahabuddin was shifted to Bhagalpur central jail from Siwan jail where he was lodged for over a decade.

He was shifted to Bhagalpur central jail after needle of suspicion moved towards Shahabuddin and the local administration caught him holding “court” in the jail in utter violation of jail manual.

His shifting was preceded by massive raids in the Siwan jail during which dozens of mobile phones, SIM cards, knives and other objectionable materials were recovered from Siwan jail.

Shortly after the killing, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had recommended a CBI probe into the case following demands by the victim’s family.

Rajdeo was shot dead by the motorcycle-borne criminals on May 13 while he was returning home after work in the evening. He was shot dead by point blank range.

The chief minister today said none would be spared however they are.

Featured Image Caption: Main shooter Rohit Kumar