Mohammad Shahabuddin was granted bail earlier this month in a murder case

With a rap on the knuckles for the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, the Supreme Court today deferred till Wednesday, hearing on its plea against bail for gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin."If it is so urgent, why you didn't seek stay at that time?" asked the court, when the Bihar government countered the petition of Mr Shahabuddin that hearing be postponed as his lawyer Ram Jethmalani was unable to attend court today.Mohammad Shahabuddin, who is serving two life sentences in different murder cases, was granted bail by the Patna Court High Court earlier this month in a third murder case. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's government has been accused by the opposition and those fighting cases against Mr Shahabuddin of presenting a weak challenge to bail in the High Court because Mr Shahabuddin, a former lawmaker, is a prominent member of Lalu Yadav's RJD, a partner in the ruling coalition.Mr Shahabuddin was released from jail on September 10 and staged a show of strength outside prison. Greeted by hundreds of supporters, he drove to his hometown in Siwan in a 350-car cavalcade. The Bihar government moved the Supreme Court six days later against his bail.

"Every day that Shahabuddin is out there is a threat to witnesses," alleged lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who has moved the Supreme Court against bail for the RJD man on behalf of Chandrakeshwar Prashad, a Siwan resident who alleges that his three sons were murdered by Mr Shahabuddin's henchmen.The judges today also refused to grant the week that Mr Shahabuddin sought to present his response, saying, "there are allegations and counter allegations in this case. We will hear the case on Wednesday. We don't intend to pass any order today but will hear it on Wednesday."