The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on the plea to cancel the bail of former Siwan MLA and RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin for one more day, observing that the Nitish Kumar government
The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on the plea to cancel the bail of former Siwan MLA and RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin for one more day, observing that the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar contributed to the free run of RJD leader Shahabuddin even when he was in jail.
A bench of Justices Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Amitav Roy made this observation when senior counsel Dinesh Diwedi, appearing for Bihar, submitted that while in jail Shahabuddin kept on committing crimes and no evidence was available for his prosecution. He said going to jail or remaining in jail hardly made any difference to him and this showed the influence he had.
Intervening, the bench told the counsel that it was because the government had shown indulgence and counsel agreed that the contributory factor to some extent cannot be overruled.
Counsel Prashant Bhushan for petitioner Chandrakehswar Prasad seeking cancellation of Shahabuddin’s bail said all three sons of the petitioner were brutally murdered at the alleged instance of Shahabuddin. He was involved in as many as 58 cases, that includes nine murders. Mr Bhushan said every day Shahabuddin poses serious threat to witnesses. He said he came out on jail after getting bail in all the pending cases.
He said Shahabuddin is India’s most notorious criminal. His influence in jail is such that he was enjoying all facilities, including 40 mobile phones and can come out any time and he was in constant touch with his associates.
Advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Shahabuddin, said they are making all sorts of allegations. A prejudice has been created. He pointed out that Shahabuddin has been released on bail in over 40 cases only after the court was convinced to grant bail. He is being blamed for any offence in Bihar.
