CBI probe to be ordered in scribe's killing but no jungle raj

Bowing to the wishes of the family of slain journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, the Bihar government today decided to recommend a CBI probe into his killing but Chief Minister Nitish Kumar trashed the opposition's charge of 'jungle raj' prevailing in the state.
"A decision has been taken to hand over the inquiry into the killing of a journalist of a vernacular daily at Siwan to CBI at the request of his family. After completing the formalities, the recommendation for CBI investigation would be made today itself," Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told reporters here.
The Chief Minister said no effort has been spared in investigating the killing of Rajdeo Ranjan, the Siwan district bureau chief of Hindi daily 'Hindustan', and in the Gaya road rage incident in which a youngster was shot dead allegedly by the son of a ruling JD(U) MLC.

The Chief Minister said he was personally saddened by the two killings. "I am in more pain over the two incidents than those shedding crocodile tears to score political points. For me the attack on the journalist at Siwan is like attack on myself."
Kumar said he was prepared to order a CBI probe into the killing of the Gaya road rage incident victim too, if his family was not satisfied with the investigation being done by the state police.
On NDA's allegation of return of the 'jungle raj' in Bihar, Kumar said it was "a pre-decided tune which they play on case to case basis". Kumar added that he did not need any "certificate" from anybody on "rule of law". He said the rule of law was prevailing in Bihar and would continue in future too.

In an apparent dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had called RJD 'Rozana Jungle raj ka Dar' (Daily fear of jungle raj) while campaigning for Bihar assembly polls, Kumar said, "People gave him a sound reply by electing Grand Secular Alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress with over two-thirds majority."

"They (NDA) have still not learnt any lesson and on case to case basis, their leaders start chanting the pre-determined tune of 'jungle raj'," he said.
When asked about jailed RJD strongman and former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin's alleged involvement in the murder of the journalist on May 13 and progress of police investigation in the case, the Chief Minister handed over the microphone to the Director General of Police P K Thakur to answer the questions.

The DGP said police efforts were focused on apprehending professional shooters suspectedly involved in the incident, investigating people behind it and motive behind the killing.
On police headquarters receiving a "hitlist" containing names of 23 people, including that of Rajdeo Ranjan, allegedly made by Shahabuddin, who is lodged in Siwan jail, he said, "An unverified information came in 2014, which after probe was found not true."
When asked about the use of mobile phone by Shahabuddin inside the jail, the DGP said, "During the recent raids no mobile phone has been found in Siwan jail.