Siwan: Mohammad Kaif, the sharp shooter wanted for the murder of Siwan journalist Rajdeo Ranjan was spotted walking alongside Former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin who returned to his hometown Siwan on Saturday after 11 years of imprisonment.

After the photograph showing the former MP mingling with the killer went viral, CNN-News18 questioned him on the issue, to which he turned abusive and issued threats. "You can write whatever you want to write. I am not answerable to you. Nobody can take away my freedom" Shahabuddin said.

Siwan Police said it will serve notice and question Mohammad Shahabuddin in connection with two absconding suspects in the journalist Rajdeo Ranjan case being part of his carcade after his release from Bhagalpur jail.

"We have taken notice of photographs of suspect Mohammad Kaif and Mohammad Javed appearing in newspapers and video footage in the carcade of Shahabuddin from Bhagalpur to Siwan and hectic search is on for them," Siwan Superintendent of Police Saurav Kumar Sah told PTI.

Mohammad Javed and Mohammad Kaif are wanted in connection with conspiracy against Rajdeo Ranjan on May 9 and the two remained at large before being seen in the carcade of former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin on way home from Bhagalpur on Saturday last.

The Siwan SP said a notice would be served to Shahabuddin in this connection and he would also be questioned about the two suspects.

Earlier, Laddan Mian, a close aide of Shahabuddin was arrested in Siwan in connection with the killing of the journalist in a busy market place in Siwan on May 20.

Sah said that security had been further tightened in the district.

Reacting to the news, JDU confirmed that Bihar government will appeal against Mohammad Shahabuddin's bail in Supreme Court.

Mritunjay Tiwari of RJD blamed the media houses for blowing the matter out of proportion and said that Kaif was just a part of the crowd and the police should investigate further.

Shocked at the response of RJD, Syed Zafar Islam of BJP said, " Their leader Lalu Yadav is also a convict and out on bail, time has come to act and Nitish should now."

Rajdeo Ranjan's wife Asha Ranjan sought CBI probe into the case. "I believe local administration is under political pressure, and that is why the culprit is roaming around free." she said.

Rajdeo Ranjan, Siwan district bureau chief of Hindi daily 'Hindustan', was shot dead in Siwan in May . The 42-year-old was fired at when he was travelling on his motorcycle near the fruit market on Station Road.

Reports said the assailants were on two motorcycles and were waiting for Ranjan while he was on his way back home.