Alleged sharpshooter Mohammad Kaif in a photograph with Deputy Chief Minister Tej Pratap (right)
The Central Bureau of Investigation Friday launched an operation to nab Mohammad Javed, a suspect in the murder of Siwan based journalist, Rajdeo Ranjan in May.
Prime suspect in the murder of Mr Ranjan, Mohammad Kaif, is already in judicial custody after he surrendered on September 21.
The CBI, which has set-up a temporary office in Siwan, started an investigation into the murder of Mr Ranjan only last week on request of the state government. Earlier both accused Javed and Kaif were seen in a photograph alongside recently released former RJD legislator Shahabuddin, triggering a political storm.
CBI sources said its officials have already visited the residence of Javed and were searching for him at a number of other locations. Sources also said that a special team from the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory will be reaching Siwan to help the probe.
Since it has already been four months since the murder, the CBI will be using the help of forensic experts to examine evidence collected by the local police. Sources said that the central team would have handpicked experts as its members to help solve the case as quickly as possible.
The CBI registered a murder case in the killing of Mr Ranjan on September 15 after the Bihar government placed a request for the agency's help.
Usually the CBI takes over the same FIR which was registered by the state police initially. However, according to sources, the agency is free to come to any conclusion including one that may not be in concurrence with the state police.