Thaindian News

Jodhpur, Nov 15 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot paid a surprise visit to MDM Hospital here Tuesday to meet sacked minister Mahipal Maderna, who is an accused in the case of missing nurse Bhanwari Devi, sources said.

After visiting the family members of Congress leader Khet Singh Rathore, who passed away Tuesday, Gehlot went to the MDM Hospital and spoke with Maderna who was admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after he complained of chest pain Saturday.

Gehlot stayed at the hospital for 15 minutes and also spoke with the doctors about Maderna’s health, a hospital employee told IANS.

Maderna was sacked from the cabinet and suspended from the Congress party over the allegations that he raped, kidnapped and murdered nurse Bhanwari Devi, who is missing since Sep 1.

Maderna allegedly features in a CD showing him in a compromising position with the nurse.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which is probing the case raided the house of Congress legislator from Luni constituency Malkhan Singh’s sister Indra Singh and brother Parasram Bishnoi in connection with the case.

The CBI also searched the bank locker belonging to Indra and collected details of her bank account in Jodhpur’s Bilara village.

“Both were quizzed simultaneously by the CBI at a police station in Bilara from where Bhanwari went missing,” said a police officer who did not want to be named.

Meanwhile, the CBI Tuesday doubled to Rs.10 lakh the reward amount for any person who can provide information on Bhanwari Devi.

The reward for providing information about absconding accused Sahi Ram has also been increased from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.5 lakh.