Readers would be aware that the RJD has fielded notorious criminal, Md.Shahabuddin
from Siwan Parliamentary constituency in Bihar, once again. Shahabuddin, the
mastermind behind the assassination of Chandrashekhar in March last year, is
also involved in scores of other cases. Despite repeated concerns expressed
by the President and the Election Commission for keeping out criminals from
the electoral fray, one of the epitomes of criminalisation of politics has already
taken the first step towards the 12th Lok Sabha. We appeal to all individuals
and organisations committed to the cause of democracy and human rights to exert
pressure on the EC to disqualify the nomination of Shahbuddin. We request you
to send a copy of the following letter signed by you to the EC at the earliest.
-Ed.
To
The Chief Election Commissioner
Election Commission of India
Nirvachan Sadan
New Delhi,
Sir,
We are deeply shocked and concerned to know that despite nationwide furore on
increasing criminalisation of politics and notwithstanding the Election Commission’s
wishes and the President’s appeal to all the political parties not to field
criminals in the forthcoming elections, Rashtriya Janata Dal has ultimately
fielded the noted criminal and history-sheeter Md. Shahabuddin once again from
05-Siwan parliamentary constituency in Bihar. It is a well-known fact that Md.
Shahabuddin has been charged in scores of cases right up to 21 June, 1996 (
he was then arrested and put behind the bars on an order by the Patna High Court),
out of which six cases pertain to section 302 of the IPC, 13 cases pertain to
Section 307 of the IPC. The last-mentioned case, Siwan Nagar Case No. 36/96
under Sections 147/148/149/323/353/224 IPC was registered against him when he,
already an MP, assaulted the police officer who had arrested a member of his
gang, and rescued him from police custody! It is also known to the entire nation
that he himself masterminded the murder of ex-President of JNU Student Union,
Chandrashekhar Prasad, and Shyam Narain Yadav, both CPI(ML)(Liberation) leaders,
on 31 March 1997 at JP Chowk in Siwan, which gave rise to a countrywide condemnation
and protest including a popular demand to debar Shahabuddin from Parliamentary
membership. It is to be noted that a CBI enquiry in regard to the last-mentioned
conspiracy is still in progress. If despite all this he could not be convicted,
it is only because he gets the witnesses eliminated, and a number of them do
not turn up because of obvious stakes.
On the day the last Parliamentary elections were held (2-5-1996), he personally
led a gang looting booths in village Ramnagar-Satpokharia (Case 99/96 of Hussainganj
PS), killing 3 persons and then the same gang attacked a booth in Chandwa village
of Siwan PS (Case 32/96) firing indiscriminately, and in another incident of
booth capturing on the same day he looted booths Nos. 194 and 195 at Barhulia
village (Siwan PS Case No. 36/96) in which he threw a bomb as well. On the following
day, i.e., 3-5-96, the gang led by him fired at the chasing police detachment
led by SP Mr. Singhal (Case No. 34/96 of Darauli PS). Ironically, the SP was
soon transferred from Siwan and thenceforth the Siwan police did not show much
interest in pursuing the cases against him.
The Election Commission’s order No. 464/96 (L&O) dated 17 January 1996
directs that “A special drive should be launched to expedite the investigation
and prosecution of all electoral offences registered in previous elections in
each police station and every Assembly constituency, etc. “But it appears
that the EC’s order had been of no avail in case of Md. Shahabuddin and
his associates.
In view of the above, as a very special and specific case of noted history-sheeter,
Md.Shahabuddin should be disqualified by the Election Commission may consider
disqualifying him from contesting the forthcoming elections. However, if this
is not permissible any way, may we request that taking cognisance of the fact
that he has a battery of desperadoes with modern weaponry at his command, and
also that he has been accused of booth-capturing, even of killing voters on
the polling day, the Election Commission can and must take special security
measures. This includes, taking him and his leading gang-leaders under custody,
keeping a close watch on his gang’s activities on the one hand and providing
adequate security to leaders and candidates of the parties seriously contending
against him on the other, especially at the mass meetings and during propaganda
tours. Specifically, it is learnt that a threat has been issued by Md. Shahabuddin’s
gang on the life of CPI(ML)(Liberation) candidate Ramesh Singh Kushwaha, who
had polled around 1,10,000 votes in 1996 elections contesting against Md.Shahabuddin.
Moreover, may we request you to make extremely alert arrangements on the polling
day, so as to curb his gang’s movement with arms around booths. And most
importantly, as he belongs to the ruling party, political pressure would be
mounting and the Election Commission should not expect much from the local police
or administration. Therefore, to ensure free and fair elections in a challenging
constituency like Siwan, the Election Commission should appoint observers with
unquestionable integrity and impartiality, courage and determination. Unless
exemplary steps are taken in such a case, people would not be able to exercise
their voting rights.
Thanking you in anticipation,