Rajdev Ranjan, also known as Rajdeo Ranjan (c. 1971 – May 13, 2016), who was an Indian journalist for the Hindustan Daily in Siwan, Bihar, India, was shot to death. His death received significant media coverage and was seen as a threat to journalism. He is known to have been writing against Mohammad Shahabuddin, a former Rashtriya Janata Dal MP, who was serving a life sentence in prison for being connected to the murder of two brothers. Five contract killers were arrested, during the same month of Ranjan's murder, on May 25, 2016.
Personal
Rajdev Ranjan was 45-year-old journalist at the time of his death. He had a law degree, in addition to his post graduate degree.
Ranjan was married to Asha Devi, a teacher, and he was murdered on May 13, 2016, the day before his wedding anniversary. He and his wife had two school-aged children, a boy and a girl. Ranjan had lived with his family at Mahadev Mission compound in Siwan. His remains were cremated.
Career
Rajdev Ranjan started his career as a stringer from Siwan when he started at the Hindustan Daily in 1994. For over 24 years, Rajdev Ranjan had been an active journalist for the Hindi-language Hindustan Daily. As a journalist, his main focus had been reporting on politics and crime. Ranjan worked as a staff member before he was promoted to his bureau chief position, a position which he had held for about seven years until his murder. As bureau chief he was in charge of a group of six journalists. The Hindustan Daily is a branch of the Hindustan Times Media company.
Ranjan had reported against former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin at least 4 times. One month before his murder, Ranjan reported on state politician Abdul Ghafoor's meeting and meal shared with imprisoned Shahabuddin inside the Siwan prison. Ranjan's name also appeared on a hit list that is claimed by Ranjan's wife to be made by Shahabuddin himself.
Death
Rajdev Ranjan was by Siwan railway station on his way to his office from gathering news when he was murdered by attackers on bikes. Ranjan received gunshot wounds to the neck and head, both at close-range. He had first been shot between the eyes and in the neck. The shooting occurred at approximately 8 p.m. in the Siwan market area. Ranjan died later at a hospital.
Ranjan's killers may be members of a gang in Siwan. Ranjan's family met with local Bharatiya Janata Party MP Om Prakash Yadav, who said, "I am absolutely sure that Shahabuddin is behind Rajdev's killing." Ranjan had been threatened before and once had been held at gunpoint, according to several of his fellow journalists. Convicted murderer Mohammed Shahabuddin allegedly had made a hit list and Ranjan's name was seventh on that list. According to Ranjan's wife, he was aware of such a list and told her about people on the list who had been killed before his name.
Investigation
The Siwan police started the investigation. They brought several items to Siwan forensic scientists to examine, such as "a 7.65 mm pistol with two cartridges and three motorcycles allegedly used by the assailants." Ranjan's assailants are believed by investigators to have been hired by Laddan Mian (or Miyan), Shahabuddin's aide, which could link Shahabuddin to the crime, but he was released after 14 days of questioning. Police held three people for questioning about the murder of Rajdev Ranjan, who all said they were disturbed by what Ranjan had been reporting. The alleged shooters mentioned Shahabuddin's name multiple times during questioning about who the leader was in this attack. Authorities have been attempting to find evidence from Ranjan's cell phone and CCTV footage that may shed light on the murder.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) started a case on Ranjan's murder. They continued the investigation that the police of Siwan had started in which it became apparent that the murder had been planned out. The CBI team consisted of three inspectors, two deputy superintendents of police, and five sub-inspectors.
During the investigation, Shahabuddin was released from prison. He was seen with a man by the name of Mohammad Kaif. Kaif has been running from the law since his part in the murder of three brothers. In addition, Kaif was wanted for Ranjan's murder, and photographs of him with Shahabuddin have caused Asha Devi, Ranjan's widow, and Ranjan's co-workers to question if there had been an arrangement between the two for Ranjan's death. Mohammad Kaif, who police say is a prime suspect in the murder, surrendered and was taken into custody.