Thaindian News

Jodhpur, Dec 9 (IANS) A court here Friday extended for three days the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody of sacked Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna, an accused in the case of missing nurse Bhanwari Devi, officials said.

Maderna was produced in the court after completion of his seven-day remand.

The other accused, a Congress legislator’s brother Parasram Maderna and Bhawnari Devi’s husband Amarchand, were also produced in the court. They were sent to three days and five days’ CBI custody respectively.

The former Rajasthan minister had been taken to CBI headquarters in New Delhi for interrogation and was brought back last week. Parasram Bishnoi, brother of Congress legislator from Luni constituency, was interrogated in Jodhpur during the remand period.

The CBI spokesperson said that Bhanwari’s husband Amarchand, who was arrested for “not cooperating in the investigation”, will be quizzed in the remand period for more clues in the case.

“His role in his wife’s disappearance is under the purview of investigation,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity.

Bhanwari Devi, who allegedly features in a CD with Mahipal Maderna in a compromising position, went missing from Jodhpur Sep 1. On Oct 16, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot sacked the minister over allegations that he had a role in her disappearance as she was blackmailing him on the basis of the CD.

The CBI arrested Maderna Dec 3 on charges of getting Bhanwari Devi killed. It was alleged that he had hired one Sahi Ram Bishnoi, a small-time politician from Jodhpur. Sahi Ram then allegedly assigned the task to Shahabuddin, Sohan Lal Bishnoi and Baldev Jaat alias Balia to kidnap the nurse.

In the chargesheet filed before the court earlier, Shahabuddin, Baliya and Sohanlal have been charged with Section 364 (abduction with an intent to kill) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code and various sections of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the case.