Thaindian News

Jodhpur, Dec 3 (IANS) A day after sacked Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna and a Congress legislator’s brother were arrested for alleged involvement in the disappearance of nurse Bhanwari Devi, a court here sent the two to Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) custody till Dec 9.

“Maderna and Parasram Bishnoi were produced in the additional chief judicial magistrate’s court which sent them to seven day CBI custody,” a police officer told IANS.

Maderna had been called for questioning at the circuit house here Friday and was later arrested after completion of interrogation. The CBI also arrested Parasram Bishnoi, brother of Luni legislator Malkhan Singh Bishnoi.

In the charge-sheet that was filed in the same court Friday against the three arrested accused, Sohan Lal Bishnoi, Shahabuddin and Baldev Jaat, the CBI claimed that Maderna hired Sahi Ram Bishnoi, a small time politician who is absconding at present, to eliminate Bhanwari Devi.

Bhanwari Devi had gone missing from Jodhpur’s Bilara area Sep 1. On Oct 16, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot sacked Maderna from the cabinet over allegations that he had a role in her disappearance as she was blackmailing him on the basis of a CD showing both in a compromising position.

“Bhanwari Devi was promised that she would be paid Rs.50 lakh for the CD and was abducted,” the charge-sheet claims. In the charge sheet, CBI suspects that she was strangulated to death.

Rajasthan’s opposition Bharatiya Janata Party called for a transparent investigation into the case.