The persona of Haroon Shah Ali Baig draws inspiration from a prominent political figure hailing from Bihar, namely Mohammad Shahabuddin. Born in 1967, Shahabuddin met his demise in 2021 succumbing to the ravages of COVID-19. Renowned as the ‘Bahubali’ politician of Bihar, Shahabuddin left an indelible mark on the political landscape, characterized by his involvement in criminal activities and a formidable political influence within minority communities.
In the annals of Bihar’s political history, Shahabuddin’s ascendancy was evident when he secured victory as a Member of Parliament in the 1996 General Elections from Siwan. Additionally, he clinched the position of Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) twice, representing the Ziradei Legislative Assembly in Bihar. His close association with the former Chief Minister of Bihar and Railway Minister of India, Lalu Prasad Yadav, further solidified his political stature.
Notoriously charged with more than 15 counts of murder and various other criminal offenses, Shahabuddin’s image became synonymous with guns and armed henchmen, cementing his status as one of the foremost leaders of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). However, his fortunes took a downturn following the establishment of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar. Past cases were resurrected, leading to Shahabuddin being found guilty of multiple charges, including kidnapping and murder.
The turning point in Shahabuddin’s life came with the advent of adverse circumstances after the formation of the NDA government. The revival of old case files resulted in his conviction on various charges, signaling the onset of a downward spiral. Ultimately, on the 1st of May 2021, Shahabuddin breathed his last at the DDU hospital in New Delhi, succumbing to the deadly grip of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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