'Laxity' on Central Govt., CBI's part for delaying Siwan scribe murder case: JD (U)

The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday said it was unfortunate that even after the announcement of the Bihar Government on May 16, the Central Government took four months to take over the Siwan scribe murder case, adding that this was the result of laxity on part of the ruling dispensation at the Centre and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"It is unfortunate that even after announcement of the Bihar Government on May 16, the Central Government took four months to take over the matter. This is the result of laxity on part of the Central Government and the CBI," JD (U) leader K.C. Tyagi told ANI.

Resonating similar sentiments, another JD (U) leader Shyam Rajak told ANI that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders should display remorse for the delay.

"When Rajdev's wife had requested for enquiry, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had asked for it. I want the CBI to probe the matter within a time frame and take action against the accused. We always say that neither do we frame anyone nor do we save anyone. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders should display remorse for the delay," he added.

In a major development, the CBI is set to take over the probe into the murder of Hindustan daily's Siwan bureau chief Rajdev Ranjan.

This comes after a furore erupted over Mohammad Kaif, the wanted sharpooter in the murder case, who was spotted next to former RJD parliamentarian Shahabuddin, when he was released from prison.

Kaif is one of the accused in the murder of Hindustan daily's Siwan bureau chief Rajdev Ranjan.

In the video clip, Kaif can be seen standing right next to Shahabuddin and cheering him on, as he spoke to media after being released on bail on Saturday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had launched a scathing attack over the development, stating that he had become helpless, questioning his silence over a murder accused walking scot-free and the police being unable to trace him.