Former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin

Patna, July 13: An alleged threat from Mohammad Shahabuddin, the controversial Rashtriya Janata Dal MP from Siwan, to an assistant jailor has once again refreshed people’s memories of the terror days under the Lalu-Rabri regime, when underworld dons held sway in Bihar prisons.

Shahabuddin, who faces charges of murder, kidnapping and attack on police, allegedly threatened assistant jailor Amarjeet Singh, when the latter refused to lodge two undertrials in his ward. The prisoners were brought to Siwan divisional jail from UP’s Balia district in connection with dacoity cases lodged against them in Siwan.

The assailant jailor later lodged a complaint with Mufassil police station in Siwan town, charging the former MP with threatening to eliminate him. He also apprised senior officials of the prison department of the incident that took place on the jail premises on Tuesday.

“A fresh case has been lodged against Shahabuddin for issuing threat to a government official under sections 353, 504 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code,” deputy superintendent of police (Siwan town) A.K. Singh said, adding that the complainant alleged in the FIR that the RJD leader threatened him with dire consequences on refusing to comply with his diktat to keeping two prisoners of his choice in his ward.

The police, with a fresh case lodged against the Siwan strongman, have tightened their noose around him. Shahabuddin, whose name once spelt terror in Siwan and neighbouring UP, has so far been convicted in six criminal cases. The court, however, exonerated him of the charge in four cases. More than 27 cases are still pending against him, sources said.

A close associate of the former MP told The Telegraph over phone from Siwan today: “Saheb bahut naraz hain. Unhone apne kuchh logo ko baat karne ke liya kaha hai (The ex-MP is furious after the incident. He has asked his men to talk to him).”

Shahabuddin is lodged in the jail since August 13, 2003.

The incident has created fear psychosis among the lower grade staff of the divisional jail. The superintendent of jail, Shivendra Priyadarshi, could not be contacted for comment. Even inspector-general (prison) Anand Kishore was not available for comment. “Saheb meeting me gaye hai (the officer has gone to attend a meeting),” said an employee on duty.

This is not an isolated case. Only a month ago, a doctor posted at Beur Central Jail in Patna had written a letter to the senior officials of the prison department, alleging that incarcerated former MP from Purnea Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, had threatened him.