Bihar journalist Ranjan’s 5 alleged shooters nabbed

In a major breakthrough, police on Wednesday arrested five people in connection with Bihar journalist Rajdeo Ranjan's murder. The five are reportedly the actual shooters.

Earlier on 14 May, four suspects were detained in connection with the case.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had given his consent to Central Bureau of Investigation probe in the murder case.

Director General of Police P K Thakur, however, said on 16 May that the state police would continue its investigation till the top investigating agency takes up the case.

The 42-year-old Ranjan was shot dead by criminals near the Siwan railway station on 13 May. Two bullets were fired at the Siwan bureau chief of Hindi daily Hindustan that hit him on his head and neck. The killing had angered the media across the country.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had said he was saddened by the in his state and promised swift action against the guilty.

Condemning the murder of Ranjan, he had said the probe would be expedited and Bihar Police will bring to book those responsible for the killing.

Meanwhile, acting on a security audit report of Siwan central jail, the Bihar government has shifted jailed former Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Mohammed Shahabuddin, whose associates are under the police scanner in the murder of journalist Ranjan, to Bhagalpur jail.

Fingers are being pointed at Shahabuddin, who is also member of RJD's national executive, in the murder of Ranjan.

Shahabuddhin, convicted in a murder case and lodged in Siwan central jail for over a decade, was shifted to Bhagalpur jail hours after a notification was issued by Inspector General Prisons Anand Kishore.