Rajdev Ranjan's widow thanks CBI for taking over Siwan scribe murder case

Asha Ranjan, wife of murdered journalist Rajdev Ranjan on Thursday thanked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Central Government for taking over her husband's murder case.

"I am thankful to the CBI and also to the Central Government. But why did it take so much time? Why did the CBI take four months to take up the issue? I would ask the state government to help in the matter so that the culprits get punishment. I have been with Rajdev for the last 18 years and I have never seen Bunty Kaif with him. May be they used to talk over the phone...that is different. Rajdev had gone to Bunty's reception on his invitation," Asha told ANI.

Asha said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should have seen to it why the CBI did not take up the matter even after his announcement on May 16.

"Nitish ji had called for a CBI probe on May 16 itself but he could have seen where the matter is stuck. He has failed somewhere in doing so and that is why there is delay in the matter. Now I would want Nitish ji to give full cooperation," she added.

In a major development, the CBI is set to take over the probe into the murder of Rajdev.

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 scott free and the police being unable to trace him.

Meanwhile, speaking to ANI, KaiF has rubbished all accusations against him and said that he has no involvement in the murder of journalist Rajdev Rajan.

Kaif told ANI that he had very close and good relations with Rajan, adding that he was at his sister's residence for the post funereal ceremony at the time he was killed as she died two days before his murder.

Speaking on the accusation levelled against him by Rajan's wife, he said, "Rajdev's wife doesn't know me that well. People have said wrong things about me to Rajdev's wife.