The prime accused in the murder of Siwan journalist Rajdeo Rajan surrendered to the police on Thursday, reported Hindustan Times. Azharuddim Beg, alias Laddan Mian, had been absconding since the crime took place on May 13. The Bihar Police will plead for 15 days of custody for Beg when he is produced in court.

Beg is believed to have planned the murder of the senior journalist. Police have attached his property, which led to his family members filing a case challenging the move. Beg was released from Siwan jail a mere fortnight before the journalist’s murder. The police have also arrested five other people in connection with the case. The 42-year-old local bureau chief of the daily was gunned down by motorcycle-borne assailants near Siwan railway station.

The motive behind Ranjan’s killing is still uncertain. Investigators recovered a country-made pistol of 7.65 mm bore, two live cartridges and three motorcycles from the youths. The pistol matched the bullets recovered from the crime scene, the police said. The bikes have been sent for forensic tests.