Court dismisses Shahabuddin's bail petition

The Patna high court has dismissed the regular bail petition of Rashtriya Janata Dal member of Parliament Mohammed Shahabuddin in  connection with a case relating to the exchange of fire between the police and Shahabuddin's supporters at his Pratappur house in March 2001, court officials said on Thursday.

The court also directed the police to expedite the trial of the case and conclude within six months." The court dismissed the regular bail petition of Shahabuddin and directed the police to conclude the case," court officials said.

Siwan Police had already filed the chargesheet against Shahabuddin. Nine persons were killed in the encounter when the police tried to arrest Shahabuddin at his house.

According to a First Information Report lodged by the Siwan Police on March 17, 2001 under Arms Act and Explosive Substance Act of IPC, three bodies, said to be henchmen of Shahabuddin, were found near his house.

Later, police found sophisticated firearms, including, hand grenades and AK-46 rifles from the site.

Earlier the court had directed that a special court would conduct all criminal cases pending against Shahabuddin in the premises of Siwan jail itself.

Shahabuddin is currently lodged in Siwan jail after he was shifted from New Delhi-based AIIMS following his successful surgery in November 2005.

In June 2006, the state government constituted a special court at Siwan to conduct the cases pending against Shahabuddin.

Shahabuddin is involved in over 40 criminal cases, including murder, abduction and possession of illegal arms.