Victims' families welcome SC's order on Shahabuddin

Chandrakeshwar Prasad, father of three brothers allegedly killed at the instance of mafia don-turned-politician Shahabuddin, and Asha Ranjan, wife of slain journalist Rajdeo Ranjan in Bihar's Siwan district, have expressed happiness after the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered that the RJD strongman be shifted from Siwan jail to Tihar Central Jail to ensure fair trial.

Prasad, alias Chanda Babu, whose three sons were allegedly killed at Shahabuddin's orders, has welcomed the apex court's order to shift Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) strongman Shahabuddin to Tihar jail.

"Now, we will live here without any fear and hope to get justice," Prasad, who along with his wife Kalavati Devi has been living at their house in Siwan town despite threats, told IANS over telephone.

He also expressed happiness that at last Siwan will be free from Shahabuddin's terror.

"Shahabuddin's presence in Siwan jail for years was enough to create terror among people. We have been demanding for long to shift him from Siwan jail to Tihar jail in Delhi for free trial to ensure justice to us."

Both Prasad and his wife said they had faith in the justice of the Supreme Court.

"After God, we have our hopes pinned on the apex court for justice," they said.

Asha Ranjan, wife of slain journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, allegedly ordered killed by Shahabuddin last year, said it is like a victory for her.

"Shahabuddin's shifting from Siwan to Tihar jail in Delhi will provide us a sense of relief and peace. There will be no fear or threat," she said.

Rajdeo Ranjan was the Siwan Bureau Chief of Hindi newspaper Hindustan, which is part of the Hindustan Times Media company. He was shot dead in May last year at a busy market place near Station Road, 145 km from state capital Patna.

Asha, a contractual teacher in a government-run school in Siwan, said she had appealed to the apex court to shift Shahabuddin from Siwan to Tihar jail last year.

--IANS

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