High alert in Siwan ahead of apex court hearing on Shahabuddin

Patna, Sep 19 : A high alert was sounded in Bihar's Siwan district, hours ahead of the Supreme Court's hearing on Monday on a plea by the state government seeking cancellation of RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin's bail, officials said.

The plea was filed by a resident of Siwan, along with the state, against the bail granted on September 10 to Shahabuddin as he might misuse his liberty to derail the trial in a case. 

A district administration official said the high alert was declared and heavy deployment of security forces was made following an intelligence report that warned of possible law and order situation if Shahabuddin's bail was cancelled. 

"All eyes are on the apex court," the official said.

The petitioner, Chandrakeshwar Prasad, alias Chanda Babu in his petition had alleged that his life was in danger following the release of Shahabuddin, who was earlier convicted for the murder of his two sons.

The Patna High Court had released Shahabuddin as the trial for the murder of Prasad's third son had not yet started.

Prasad had alleged that all his three sons were murdered at the behest of the strongman-turned politician, who is also the main accused in the murder of the third son.

The Bihar government had also moved the apex court against the Patna High Court's order granting bail to Shahabuddin, shortly after the apex court agreed to hear a plea by Prasad.

Justice Jitendra Mohan Sharma of the Patna High Court had on September 7 granted bail to Shahabuddin, who was released from Bhagalpur jail on September 10 after spending 11 years in prison.