Bihar: Shooters arrested in murder of journalist Rajdev Ranjan, ex-RJD MP suspect

Patna: In a major breakthrough, the Bihar police on Wednesday arrested five contract killers in connection with the murder of journalist Rajdev Ranjan.

The police said that three motorcycles and a country made pistol of 7.65 mm bore along with two cartridges were recovered from the shooters which is being examined by forensic team in Siwan.

“Interrogation will continue to find out how many more persons were involved in the murder of journalist Rajdev Ranjan”, ADG of Police Sunil Kumar said on Wednesday in Patna claiming that the shooters had no criminal history.

The five shooters were allegedly hired by former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Mohammad Shahabuddin’s aide Laddan Mian. The police said Laddan Mian was in Siwan Jail and was released on bail a fortnight before the murder incident. Initially the police had suspected him to be one of the shooters.

The police however refused to comment on the motive behind the murder saying that the shooters involved didn't even know who they were killing. “They were asked to finish the work and flee from the scene”, said a source.

The suspicion over Shahabuddin’s involvement deepened further after Laddan’s name figured in the case. According to police sources, Laddan Mian is close to Shahbuddin. A police source said, “Laddan Mian’s arrest will throw more light on the motive behind the murder”.

Journalist Rajdev Ranjan was murdered point blank on May 13 in Siwan by motorcycle borne shooters. During the probe, Shahabuddin’s name surfaced several times as the mastermind. Later, after police raided his cell in Siwan jail last week, he was shifted to Bhagalpur Jail.

"Criminals involved in the murder will not be spared no matter how powerful they are", ADG Sunil Kumar said.