Rajdeo Ranjan was the Siwan bureau chief of Hindi newspaper 'Hindustan'. (File Photo)
Nearly four months after the Bihar government asked for an investigation by the CBI into the murder of Siwan journalist Rajdeo Ranjan, the central probe agency registered a case against unknown individuals today.
A Central Bureau of Investigation or CBI team has reached Siwan to probe the case, sources said.
"The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case under section 302, 120-B, 34 of IPC and section 27 of Arms Act against unknown assailants relating to alleged murder of senior journalist Rajdeo Ranjan on the request of Bihar Government and further notification from Government of India," a CBI spokesperson said.
Former Rashtriya Janata Dal lawmaker Shahbuddin, who was released on bail recently, was under the scanner of the Bihar Police, which was investigating the case till recently, sources added.
The case has again come into the limelight after a photograph of absconding suspects Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed with Shahbuddin appeared after his release from Bhagalpur jail on Saturday.
Mr Ranjan was shot dead on May 13 in a busy market place near Station Road in Siwan district of Bihar.
Mr Ranjan was the Siwan bureau chief of Hindi newspaper Hindustan.