Ranjan, a journalist with a Hindi daily was shot dead in May 2016, allegedly at the behest of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mohammad Shahabuddin.
The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a report within four weeks on photographs in which former Bihar health minister Tej Pratap Singh was seen with the accused in the Rajdeo Ranjan murder case.
The bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra passed the orders on the plea filed by Asha Ranjan, wife of the slain journalist Rajdeo Ranjan. The slain journalist's widow had demanded an FIR against Tej Pratap for "conspiracy and harbouring and sheltering the proclaimed offenders" in the murder case.
Ranjan, a journalist with a Hindi daily was shot dead in May 2016, allegedly at the behest of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mohammad Shahabuddin.
The photograph in question shows Mohammed Kaif, another accused in Ranjan's murder along with Tej Pratap — son of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. Kaif, alleged to be the sharpshooter for Shahabuddin, was absconding when the photographs surfaced.
The Bench, that also comprised Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, directed the probe agency to find out the progress made by the police in its investigation into the photos.
The court further ordered advocate ARM Pandey, Ranjan's counsel, to give the CBI copies of the transcript of the news conference held by the Siwan police chief where he has assured an investigation into the photographs.
"It was expedient on the part of the Siwan Superintendent of Police to file an FIR... he miserably failed to take action. Kaif is now on bail... Both Kaif and Javed (another accused in the Ranjan case) were remanded only after the writ petition was filed in the SC," Pandey submitted.
Pander said serious action should be taken against Tej Pratap for "harbouring and screening" offenders. However, responding to the submissions, Tej Pratap's counsel submitted that his client was attending a public function where a "man came up and gave me a bouquet of flowers."
Representing the probe agency, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, "investigation is yet to begin." He further added that "the moment I (meaning Yadav) came to know, I should have informed the police. I will have to investigate harbouring."
To this, Tej Pratap's counsel responded: "Nobody says that I was seen with Kaif prior to the murder."
Tej submission
Responding to the submissions, Tej Pratap’s counsel submitted that his client was attending a public function where a “man came up and gave him a bouquet of flowers.”
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