SC seeks Shahabuddin’s reply on plea against his bail
RJD leader Mohammed Shahabuddin was granted bail on 7 September in a case of murder of a witness in the 2004 killing of two brothers in Siwan
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mohammed Shahabuddin on a plea seeking cancellation of bail granted to him by the Patna High Court.
A bench comprising justices Amitava Roy and P.C. Ghose also sought Shahabuddin’s reply.
Gopal Singh, standing counsel for Bihar, sought issuance of a non-bailable warrant against Shahabuddin and a stay on the high court order.
“The judge who issued bail had earlier declined bail on merits to the accused in 2014. Since there are no change in circumstances, the grant of bail is untenable," he said.
On 17 September, the Bihar government and Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons were allegedly murdered by Shahabuddin, moved the apex court seeking cancellation of Shahabuddin’s bail.
Shahabuddin was granted bail on 7 September in a case of murder of a witness in the 2004 killing of two brothers in Siwan. He got bail in nearly 12 other cases earlier.
The former MP’s release from Bhagalpur jail in Bihar on 10 September evoked widespread criticism in the state.
According to the affidavits filed against Shahabuddin, at least 58 criminal cases are currently pending against him and he has been convicted in eight.
Shahabuddin has been awarded two counts of life sentences in a twin murder case apart from imprisonment in other cases.
The case will be heard next on 26 September.
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