Underworld overlords
While Lalu spent short periods of time in jail, the real rise of criminals unfolded outside, in his state.
Kidnapping became an industry, and in many ways Lalu's right-hand man Mohammed Shahabuddin (seen feeding Lalu in the picture) signified all that was wrong with the state. Shahabuddin ran a parallel administration in Siwan. Even when he was in jail.
He was one of the lieutenants who executed Lalu's strategy of dividing and ruling the masses and terrorising the rich.
Shahabuddin became a member of Parliament, even as there were arrest warrants against him. He was photographed feasting on sumptuous meals in Mumbai, even as the long arm of the law could not get to him, till he was finally arrested a few days ago in Delhi.
Also read: What could happen?