Supreme Court cancels Shahabuddin's bail, sends RJD leader back to jail

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday cancelled the bail granted to Rashtriya Janata Dal strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin in the Rajiv Roshan murder case.

The apex court ordered that either the gangster-turned-politician should surrender or the Bihar Police should take him in custody "forthwith".

A bench comprising Justice PC Ghose and Amitava Roy directed the state government and the lower court to ensure that the trial in the Rajiv Roshan murder case is concluded "expeditiously as contemplated under the law".

The September 7 order of the Patna High Court granting bail to Shahabuddin was initially challenged by one Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons -- third one being Rajiv Roshan -- were killed allegedly by Shahabuddin's henchmen.

Later, the Bihar government also filed a plea challenging the bail granted to the RJD strongman.

Shahabuddin has been awarded life imprisonment in the twin murder case and the Patna High Court had granted him bail in this matter as well.

The apex court, which yesterday reserved its verdict on two appeals challenging the grant of bail to him by the Patna High Court, had rebuked Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government, which has RJD as its coalition partner, for its lax approach in opposing the bail granted to the RJD strongman in various cases at different judicial forums including the High Court.

(With Agency inputs)