RJD strongman Md Shahabuddin walks free from jail

Bhagalpur: Former MP and RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin today walked out of Central Jail here to a hero's welcome. While a large number of his supporters including RJD MLAs and former ministers greeted him on his release from jail, celebrations started at Pratappur, his native village in Siwan district with crackers being burst and sweets distributed.

The celebrations began yesterday after his release order was issued by a Siwan court following grant of bail to Shahabuddin by the Patna High Court on Thursday in a murder case. "The court had jailed me, and the court has now ordered his release. My release has nothing to do with politics. Judiciary has its own procedure", Shahabuddin told media persons outside the Central Jail here. In Siwan his wife Hina Shahab said she had been waiting for his release since 2003 and finally the day has come."I have faith in God and ultimately justice has been done to him",Shahab said as she greeted visitors with sweets at her Pratappur residence.

Bihar Minority Welfare Minister Abdul Ghafoor whose meeting with Shahabuddin inside Siwan jail had created a storm said" it is a matter of pleasure for all of us as he is our party leader". While his supporters are celebrating ,a sense of uneasiness could be felt in Siwan with residents who had hitherto lived in peace since Shahabuddin's incarceration in 2005 discussing 'consequences' of his release. (UNI)