IolaWatriama22: added the post w/ infobox...

2026-04-09T14:02:28Z

added the post w/ infobox...

New page

{{Short description|2016 murder incident in Bihar, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Rajdev Ranjan 
| honorific_suffix =
| image = File:Rajdev Ranjan, a murdered Indian journalist.jpg 
| image_size = 
| alt =
| caption =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| pronunciation =
| birth_name = 
| birth_date = ca. 1971 
| birth_place =
| baptised = 
| disappeared_date = 
| disappeared_place =
| disappeared_status =
| death_date = May 13, 2016
| death_place = [[Siwan, Bihar|Siwan]], [[Bihar]], [[India]]
| death_cause = Gunshot to the head between the eyes, and shot in the neck
| body_discovered = near his office and Station Road in the Siwan market area
| monuments =
| other_names = Rajdeo Ranjan
| citizenship =
| education =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Journalist and bureau chief
| years_active = 1994-2016
| era =
| employer = ''Hindustan Daily''
| organization =
| agent = 
| known_for = frequently writing against Shahabuddin, former RJD MP, who was serving life imprisonment for the murder of two brothers
| notable_works = 
| style =
| net_worth = 
| height = 
| television =
| title =
| term =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| party =
| movement =
| opponents =
| boards =
| criminal_charge = 
| criminal_penalty =
| criminal_status =
| spouse = Asha Devi
| partner = 
| children = 2 (1 son and 1 daughter)
| parents = 
| mother = 
| father = 
| relatives =
| family =
| callsign =
| awards =
| website = 
| module =
| module2 =
| module3 =
| module4 =
| module5 =
| module6 =
| signature =
| signature_size =
| signature_alt =
| footnotes =

}}
'''Rajdev Ranjan''', also known as Rajdeo Ranjan<ref name="cpj">{{cite web|url=https://cpj.org/killed/2016/rajdev-ranjan.php|title=Rajdev Ranjan - Journalists Killed |publisher=Committee to Protect Journalists}}</ref> (c. 1971 – May 13, 2016), who was an Indian journalist for the ''[[Hindustan (newspaper)|Hindustan Daily]]'' in [[Siwan, Bihar]], [[India]], was killed in a drive-by shooting. His death received significant media coverage and was seen as a threat to journalism and [[freedom of expression in India]]. He is known to have been writing against [[Mohammad Shahabuddin (Indian politician)|Mohammad Shahabuddin]], a former [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] [[Member of parliament|MP]], who was serving a life sentence in connection with the murder of two brothers.<ref name="timesofindia2">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Senior-journalist-shot-dead-in-Bihar/articleshow/52259063.cms|title=Senior journalist shot dead in Bihar|publisher=Times of India |date=May 13, 2016}}</ref> Five [[contract killers]] were arrested, during the same month of Ranjan's murder, on May 25, 2016.<ref name="DC">{{cite news|last1=Azad|first1=Nayear|title=Bihar: Shooters arrested in murder of journalist Rajdev Ranjan, ex-RJD MP suspect|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/250516/bihar-shooters-arrested-in-murder-of-journalist-rajdev-ranjan-ex-rjd-mp-suspect.html|access-date=28 May 2016|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=25 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="indianexpress3">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/two-detained-for-murder-of-bihar-journalist-rajdev-ranjan-2799913/|title=Three detained for murder of Bihar journalist Rajdev Ranjan|date=May 14, 2016|publisher=Indian Express}}</ref>

==Personal==
Rajdev Ranjan was 45-year-old at the time of his death.<ref name=thehindu /> He had a law degree, in addition to his post-graduate degree.<ref name="The Indian Express">{{cite web|title=Journalist Rajdev Ranjan shot dead in Bihar|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bihar-journalist-rajdev-ranjan-shot-dead-siwan-2799308/|publisher=The Indian Express|date=May 14, 2016}}</ref>

Ranjan was married to Asha Devi, a teacher, and he was murdered on May 13, 2016, the day before his wedding anniversary.<ref name=thehindu /><ref name="The Times of India">{{cite news|last=Karmakar|first=Debashish|title=Bikers gun down senior journalist in Bihar's Siwan|work=The Times of India|date=May 13, 2016|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Siwan-journalist-shot-dead/articleshow/52260820.cms}}</ref> He and his wife had two school-aged children, a boy and a girl.<ref name=thehindu /> Ranjan had lived with his family at Mahadev Mission compound in Siwan.<ref name="The Indian Express" /> His remains were cremated.<ref name=thehindu />

==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 the bureau chief position, a position which he held for about seven years until his murder. As bureau chief, he was in charge of a group of six journalists.<ref name="The Indian Express" /><ref name= dnaindia>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/bihar/senior-journalist-rajdev-ranjan-shot-dead-in-bihar_1884880.html|title=Senior journalist Rajdev Ranjan shot dead in Bihar|date=13 May 2016|publisher=}}</ref> The ''Hindustan Daily'' is a branch of the Hindustan Times Media company.<ref name="First Post" />

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 (Saharsa politician)|Abdul Ghafoor's]] meeting and meal shared with imprisoned Shahabuddin inside the Siwan prison.<ref name=cpj /><ref name=gulfnews>{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/india/bihar-cm-recommends-cbi-probe-into-murder-of-journalist-1.1828750|title=Bihar CM recommends CBI probe into murder of journalist|first=Lata Rani|last=Correspondent|date=16 May 2016|publisher=}}</ref> Ranjan's name also appeared on a hit list that is claimed by Ranjan's wife to be made by Shahabuddin himself.<ref name="India Today">{{cite web|last=Tiwari|first=Siddharth|title=Slain journalist Rajdev Ranjan was 7th on Shahabuddin's hit list|publisher=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/slain-journalist-rajdev-ranjan-was-7th-on-shahabuddins-hit-list-323891-2016-05-16}}</ref>

==Death==
{{Location map+|India|AlternativeMap =
| float = left
| position = left
| width = 200
|caption= Siwan within India relative to the capital New Delhi.
|alt = Siwan is located in India.
|places=
{{Location map~ | India
|lat_deg=28 |lat_min=36 |lat_sec=50 |lat_dir=N
|lon_deg=77 |lon_min=12 |lon_sec=32 |lon_dir=E
|position=top
|background=#FFFFFF
|label=New Delhi
}}
{{Location map~ | India
|lat_deg= 26 |lat_min= 13 |lat_sec= 10 |lat_dir= N
|lon_deg=84 |lon_min= 21 |lon_sec= 23 |lon_dir= E
|position=top
|background=#FFFFFF
|label= Siwan
}}

}}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.<ref name="The Times of India" />

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.<ref name="The Times of India" /> 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.<ref name="India Today" />

===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."<ref name=DC /> 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.<ref name=DC /><ref name="indianexpress6">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bihar-journalist-rajdev-ranjan-murder-shahabuddins-close-aid-and-key-accused-laddan-miyan-surrenders-2829946/|title=Siwan journalist murder: Prime accused surrenders in court, says being framed|date=3 June 2016|publisher=}}</ref> Police held three people for questioning about the murder of Rajdev Ranjan, who all said they were disturbed by what Ranjan had been reporting.<ref name=thehindu /> 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.<ref name=thehindu />

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.<ref name="First Post">{{cite web|last1=Ians|title=Bihar: CBI files case in Rajdev Ranjan murder case|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/cbi-files-case-in-rajdev-ranjan-murder-case-3006222.html|website=First Post}}</ref>

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.<ref name="India Today 2">{{cite web|last1=Mathur|first1=Avarnita|title=Man wanted for journalist's murder received Shahabuddin when the don came out of jail|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/shahabuddin-spotted-with-shooter-mohammad-kaif-rajdev-ranjan-murder-340909-2016-09-13|website=India Today}}</ref> Mohammad Kaif, who police say is a prime suspect in the murder, surrendered and was taken into custody.<ref name="Daily News and Analysis">{{cite web|title=Bihar: SC asks CBI to conclude probe into journalist Rajdev Ranjan murder case|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bihar-sc-asks-cbi-to-conclude-its-probe-into-journalist-rajdev-ranjan-murder-case-2264962|website=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref>

Two other people have recently been brought to light as connected with Ranjan's murderer.<ref name="Daily News">{{cite web|title=Rajdev Ranjan's killers seen with RJD leaders; SC seeks report from judge|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-rajdev-ranjan-s-killers-seen-with-rjd-leaders-sc-seeks-report-from-judge-2265084|website=Daily News and Analysis|date=17 October 2016}}</ref> Shahabuddin and several other important leaders have been spotted with several of the people accused of murdering Ranjan, including Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed. Mohammad Javed has still not been found.<ref name="Daily News and Analysis" />

In the CBI investigation of the crime scene and discussion with the Siwan police, who originally had been handling the case, there have been six suspects allegedly involved in the murder of Rajdev Ranjan. The list of suspects include Azaharuddin Beig, Rohit Kumr Soni, Vijay Kumar Gupta, Rajesh Kumar, Sonu Kumar Gupta, and Rishu Kumar Jaiswal. The apex court is not allowing bail for the six people suspected in Ranjan's murder. The bail is not currently being allowed because the investigation is still underway by the CBI. Shahabuddin is claims the men were not accused until later after which he had already met them.<ref name= "Daily News" />

The CBI had asked for six months to investigate the murder but was only granted three months to do so by the apex court.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

==Context==
Ranjan was allegedly targeted "as a result of having published several articles in the ''Hindustan Daily'' concerning the questionable actions of Shahabuddin." Ranjan's most recent work published against Shahabuddin had been a photograph of Shahabuddin in jail where he is being held, eating with the Bihar Minister Abdul Gafoor. Angered by Ranjan's work, Shahabuddin supposedly placed Ranjan's name as seventh on his hit list.<ref name="India Today" /> Shahabuddin is thought to have then "hired five people to murder Ranjan."<ref name=DC /> The shooting took place under the Town police station in Dakshin Tola, where four gunshots were heard. There are journalist friends of Ranjan's who said "someone had held Ranjan at gunpoint to threaten him about ten years ago."<ref name="The Times of India" /> Asha Devi, Ranjan's widow, believes that Ranjan had been a target of Shahabuddin's for his work a while before he was murdered.<ref name="India Today" /> A colleague of Ranjan's said that Ranjan "had received a phone call that evening and had left in a hurry," something "uncharacteristic of Ranjan" according to the source.<ref name="The Indian Express" /> This is not the first in a string of murders and attempted murders committed by people connected to Shahabuddin; there had been other names on Shahabuddin's hit list, one of which, Rajeev Roshan, had been murdered as well in 2014. Ranjan had written an article about Chawanni Singh, Shahabuddin's sharp shooter, and about how police were making progress in a murder case involving Singh. He had written the article just before his murder.<ref name="India Today" /> Back in 2014, police had discovered that Shahabuddin had made a hit list contain twenty-three names. According to police, it was evident that "the list was made in order of who was a priority to kill first."{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} Ranjan's coworkers at the Hindustan have said that Ranjan had "received previous threats from people working for Shahabuddin, and he is not the only one to have gotten them." Ranjan's wife said that Ranjan had even once "received a threat that his office would be burned down."{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

==Impact==
One day before Ranjan's murder, another journalist, Indradeo Yadav, was shot in [[Chatra district]], [[Jharkhand]].<ref name=ndtv>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/senior-journalist-shot-dead-in-bihar-at-point-blank-range-1406014|title=In 24 Hours, Two Journalists Shot Dead In Bihar And Jharkhand|publisher=ndtv|date=May 14, 2016}}</ref>

While those two murders were being investigated, the [[Press Council of India]] advocated for a law that would guide the investigations into the murder of journalists across the country. A statement was issued by the organization's chief who was Supreme Court judge: "It is a matter of grave concern that three journalists were killed in the country in the last four months and another died in a tragic accident while on the line of duty. I urge upon the [[Government of India]] to enact a special law for protection of journalists and speedy trial of cases of attacks and assaults them in special fast track courts as recommended by the Sub-Committee for [[Safety of journalists|Safety of Journalists]] appointed by the Press Council.<ref name= indianexpress8>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bihar-rajdeo-ranjan-press-council-seeks-special-law-to-protect-scribes-2800866/|title=Press Council seeks special law to protect scribes|date=14 May 2016|publisher=}}</ref>

==Reactions==
[[Irina Bokova]], director-general of [[UNESCO]], said, "I condemn the murder of Rajdev Ranjan. I call on the authorities to investigate these killings to prevent impunity for all crimes against freedom of expression and freedom of information from taking root."<ref name= unesco>{{cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/news/director-general-condemns-murder-journalists-akhilesh-pratap-singh-and-rajdev-ranjan-india|title=Director-General condemns murder of journalists Akhilesh Pratap Singh and Rajdev Ranjan in India - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization|publisher=UNESCO|date=18 May 2016}}</ref>

There has been a call for justice against Ranjan's murderers by the journalists of Siwan.<ref name=thehindu>{{cite news|title=Three detained in connection with killing of journalist in Siwan |newspaper=The Hindu |date=May 14, 2016 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/three-detained-in-connection-with-killing-of-journalist-rajdeo-ranjan-in-bihars-siwan/article8600789.ece}}</ref>

The Bihar government had attempted to make a move to prevent Shahabuddin from being released from jail, but it was not successful even though they had said they had their finest lawyers on the job. Because of this, the government has been heavily criticized lately by a large number of siwan citizens.<ref name="India Today 2" /> People became increasingly disturbed when two leaders, Shahabuddin and Bihar Health Minister Tej pratapYadav, were spotted with two of Ranjan's supposed killers.<ref name="Daily News" />

Rajdev Ranjan's wife Asha Devi said that officials are not doing enough in the investigation out of fear of Shahabuddin.<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news|title=Scribe murder case: SC asks CBI to conclude probe in 3 months|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/journalist-rajdev-ranjan-murder-case-supreme-court-asks-cbi-to-complete-probe-in-three-months/article9230197.ece?...|newspaper=The Hindu|date=17 October 2016}}</ref> Asha Devi has been working to get the case transferred from Siwan to Delhi in hopes of it being better managed.<ref name="The Hindu" /> In response to the photographs of Shahabuddin with Kaif, Devi said, "How is it that the police did not know where the culprits were? Strict action should be taken against them. [[Nitish Kumar]] did not take cognizance of the matter, that is why I had to go to Delhi. He should correct his mistake and he should make proceedings against these culprits. CBI should take the murder probe, until then the truth will not come out."<ref name="India Today 2" />

Ranjan's family was visited by [[Prem Kumar (politician)|Prem Kumar]], leader of the opposition [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref name="The Hindu" /> Many leaders have shown their distress concerning the murder of Rajdev Ranjan, several of which were seen at the gathering offering condolences to Ranjan's family, including other BJP politicians [[Mangal Pandey (Bihar politician)|Mangal Pandey]] and [[Sushil Kumar Modi]].<ref name="The Hindu" /> Assistant director general Sunil Kumar is quoted to have said, "Criminals involved in the murder will not be spared no matter how powerful they are."<ref name=DC />

==See also==
* [[List of journalists killed in India]]

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ranjan, Rajdev}}
[[Category:Crime in Bihar]]
[[Category:May 2016 in India]]
[[Category:Assassinated Indian journalists]]
[[Category:2016 murders in India]]

Murder of Rajdev Ranjan - Revision history

IolaWatriama22: added the post w/ infobox...