Thaindian News

Jodhpur, Sep 26 (IANS) The Rajasthan High Court Monday told the police to undertake “more serious efforts” in the search for a missing nurse who allegedly features on a CD in a compromising position with state Water Resources Minister Mahipal Maderna.

The direction was given to the Inspector General of Police (Jodhpur) Umesh Mishra, who appearing before the court, claimed that police were doing their best for a breakthrough in the disappearance of the nurse, Bhanwari Devi.

“The bench of justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Kailash Chand Soni asked police to undertake more serious efforts in the case. The court has fixed Oct 11 as the next date of hearing,” said Sandeep Shah, the lawyer for Bhanwari Devi’s husband Amarchand.

The IG told the court that they were pursuing many leads in the case and if any of the three key suspects, Shahbuddin, Balia and Sahi Chand Vishnoi are arrested, police can get a breakthrough in the case, the lawyer said.

The high court had Thursday rapped the investigating officer of the case and expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of investigations conducted by the police.

The court asked the inspector general to appear before it in person Monday and submit an explanation for the “disappointing pace” of the investigation.

Earlier, the additional chief judicial magistrate in Jodhpur Sept 24 directed police to include Maderna as an accused and probe his role under sections 376 (rape), 302 (murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

Amarchand, who has threatened self-immolation, said he had to approach the court as police have failed to find Bhanwari Devi, almost 25 days after she was reported missing.

Bhanwari Devi’s son Sahil also alleged Thursday that the minister was involved in his mother’s kidnapping.

Police have so far arrested a government contractor from Jodhpur’s Bilada area. They had also detained three youths from Sikar district, but let them off due to lack of evidence.

During interrogation, the name of Shahbuddin, a resident of Pipad area here and a mechanic by profession, also came up. He is suspected to be the key link who can lead the police to the woman, but he has not yet been traced, an officer said.

The Rajasthan government has also ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case.

Bhanwari Devi has remained absent from duty since Aug 25. A missing person complaint was lodged by her husband the next day. The complaint was then turned into a kidnapping case.