Friday, February 11 2005 11:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Controversial RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) MP Mohammed Shahabuddin was today (Feb 11, 2005) shifted to the high-security Beur Jail in Patna from Siwan jail following an Election Commission (EC) directive, jail authorities said.

Shahabuddin, who is in judicial custody in connection with the abduction and subsequent murder of a CPI-ML (Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist) activist, was brought to Beur early this morning under heavy security, the authorities said.

The Election Commission had yesterday (Feb 10, 2005) ordered shifting of the RJD MP from Siwan jail in Bihar to ensure peaceful polling in the remaining two phases of Assembly elections in the State.

The Commission was apprehensive that the presence of Shahabuddin, facing several criminal charges, in his home district Siwan might vitiate the poll process and the conduct of free and fair elections on February 15 and 23, EC sources had said.

Taking strong exception to the EC order, RJD president Laloo Prasad had yesterday said that the directive appeared to be interference in the functioning of the judiciary.