The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son and Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav and former Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Mohammad Shahabuddin in connection with the murder of Siwan journalist Rajdev Ranjan. The apex court has given the duo two weeks to file a reply.

The court also decided to monitor the Central Bureau of Investigation's inquiry into the journalist’s murder. The court took up the matter after the deceased journalist's wife filed a plea to transfer the case to Delhi, reported PTI.

Tej Pratap was issued a notice for allegedly protecting Shahabuddin's aide, Mohammad Kaif, who allegedly shot Ranjan on May 13 this year, according to The Financial Express. Shahabuddin is a prime accused in the case. Tej Pratap Yadav's name had also cropped up after the health minister was seen in a picture with Kaif.

The journalist was shot dead from close range by bike-borne assailants near Siwan railway station. The police had said it appeared to be a professional shooting, given Ranjan was shot straight through the temple. Rajan had covered many criminal cases against Shahabuddin.