SC to hear petitions challenging Shahabuddin's bail on Sept. 28

The Supreme Court on Monday decided to hear the cancellation of bail of former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Shahabuddin on September 28.

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan told the apex court today that there were 45 cases against Shahabuddin, out of which nine are murder cases and 10 cases he had been convicted in.

Bhushan told the division bench, headed by Pinaki Chandra Ghosh, that Shahbuddin is a serious threat to the society if his bail would not be cancelled.

Shahabuddin's lawyer asked for more time to respond in the matter.

The top court was hearing the petitions challenging the Patna High Court's order.

The top court had on September 19 issued a notice to Shahabuddin while hearing pleas of the Bihar Government and Chandrakeshwar Prasad against the bail granted to him.

The Bihar Government had earlier filed an appeal before the apex court, challenging the Patna High Court's order of granting bail to Shahabuddin.

The petition has been filed by Bhushan on behalf of the victim's family, which was upset to see Shahabuddin walk free.

Shahabuddin, who had been in jail for more than 10 years in connection with multiple cases, was granted bail by the Patna High Court on September 7 in connection with the murder of a man who witnessed the killing of two brothers in Siwan.

Shahabuddin's release from jail evoked widespread criticism of the grand alliance in the state with the opposition accusing the government of paving way for his release by not opposing the bail strongly in the court.