Siwan, Sept.10: Siwan strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin's release from jail today resulted in gloom at the house of slain journalist Rajdev Ranjan while there was jubilation all around at the don's native place, Pratappur.
Tension was writ large on the face of Radhe Choudhary (70) - father of Hindi daily Hindustan's bureau chief Rajdev, who was gunned down by motorbike-borne criminals in the heart of the district headquarters town on May 13 this year. Rajdev was known for a series of hard-hitting stories against the Siwan don. Choudhary broke down when he heard that Shahabuddin - alleged conspirator in his son's murder - was released from jail. "I'll ask him (Shahabuddin) to help in speedy delivery of justice to this hapless father if he visits my house," Choudhary told The Telegraph on Saturday. He was reacting to Shahabuddin's statement that he would meet family members of the slain journalist.
Rajdev's mother Sankesia Devi (65) was repenting why her son decided to be a journalist. "He wanted to become a lawyer and had done his LLB from a reputed institute," she said. "But he later chose to become a journalist and was murdered for doing his duty."
The parents have lost hope of getting justice from the police. "The police investigation has stopped. A few suspects were arrested but the main conspirator is still at large. Will the long arm of the law ever catch him," Sankesia asked.
Rajdev's wife Asha Devi is in New Delhi to seek Union home minister Rajnath Singh and other senior leaders' intervention to expedite the process of CBI probe of the murder. The state government had recommended the same but no notification has been issued yet. At a sit-in agitation in Siwan earlier, she had expressed her displeasure over delay in the CBI probe.
Both Sankesia and Choudhary apprehended trouble after Shahabuddin's release. "Though we have not received any threat, we feel unsafe," Choudhary said, referring to the case in which three sons of a local trader were killed, allegedly by Shahabuddin's henchmen.
"Residents are waiting for Shahabuddin's reaction after his release," said a professor of Hindi at a local college on condition of anonymity. "They'll see whether he is the same person who lorded over Siwan or a changed man."
The terror Shahabuddin invoked can be gauged from the fact that no newspaper had an office in Siwan till 2005 when he was arrested. "Nobody was willing to rent their house out to a newspaper," said a resident.
While Siwan spent some tense moments, there was jubilation 4 km away in Pratappur where Shahabuddin's supporters had gathered in large numbers to welcome him after 13 years.
Shahabuddin's old building has been decorated. Music and band party personnel were entertaining crowds. Relatives had come from far off places to join in the celebrations. Missing were his son Osama and two daughters, held back by exams at their colleges in Delhi.
"We are very much delighted after Shahabu's (the way he is called) release. We will celebrate the occasion," said Shahabuddin's elder brother Gyasuddin.
His father S.M. Asauddin looked very delighted. "I hope I will start walking after his release," he said. The 70-year-old is unable to walk because of a physical ailment. He is confined to a charpoy and has to be helped by relatives in carrying out daily chores.
Shahabuddin's wife Hena Shahab was busy preparing a special dish for "Saheb". "I have cooked mutton ishtu (stew), which he is fond of," she told The Telegraph .
"I can't express my happiness in words. He is returning home after 13 years. Obviously this is a special occasion for every member of the family."
She said she had not spoken to him yet since his release. "I will talk to him only after he comes home. I don't want to disturb him," she said.
Residents of the hamlet, 4km southwest of Siwan town, distributed sweets after Friday prayers.
"Residents of this 'MP Tola', inhabited by Muslims, had kept mannat (vow) for his release," said Mohammad Irfan, a resident.
"We even collected donation from residents to get the village mosque painted afresh."
