Thaindian News

Jodhpur, Nov 13 (IANS) Mahipal Maderna, who was sacked as Rajasthan minister and suspended from the Congress’ primary membership over alleged involvement in the case of a missing nurse, has been hospitalised here after he complained of chest pain, sources said Sunday.

“Maderna has been admitted to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of Mathura Das Mathur Hospital. He is under observation,” said a doctor at the hospital.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Saturday quizzed his wife Lila and Congress legislator from Luni constituency Malkhan Singh over their alleged involvement in the case of missing nurse Bhanwari Devi.

Though this could not be officially confirmed, sources told IANS that the former minister was also asked to appear before the CBI Saturday but he presented a medical certificate and expressed his inability to come.

Sources said some supporters of the former minister attacked reporters outside the hospital and damaged an OB van of a private news channel.

Bhanwari Devi had gone missing from Jodhpur’s Bilara area Sep 1. Maderna was sacked from the cabinet by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Oct 16 over allegations that he had a role in her disappearance.

It was alleged that the nurse had started blackmailing Maderna on the basis of a CD showing both of them in a compromising position.

On Saturday, he was suspended from the primary membership of the Congress.

Maderna, a legislator from Osian, is likely to be questioned by the investigating agency Monday.

“Both Lila and Malkhan were grilled for a couple of hours at the circuit house here,” said a source in the CBI.

After facing CBI sleuths, Lila told media persons that her husband was innocent and a CD, aired by certain TV channels, was fabricated and aimed at maligning their family.

“I frankly do not have any clue of any relationship between Bhanwari and my husband and even if they were in a relationship, it is not an offence,” Lila said.

“I feel that it was an act of mutual consent,” she added.