Jaipur: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team is in Jaipur to question sacked Rajasthan water resources minister Mahipal Maderna over the disappearance of nurse Bhanwari Devi. Bhanwari's family has alleged that Maderna is behind her abduction and also suspect that she has been killed.
Bhanwari Devi has been missing since September 1 putting immense pressure on the Ashok Gehlot government.
The CBI, which took over the case this month, suspects that the auxiliary nurse could have been killed. The CBI was on Tuesday granted permission by a Jodhpur court to interrogate in jail contractor Sohan Lal Bishnoi and Balia, the two key accused in the case who presently are under judicial custody in Jodhpur.
While Bishnoi is the alleged executor of the plot of kidnapping of Bhanwari Devi, Balia is a close aide of Shahabuddin, another key accused who is at large and carries a Rs 25000 reward on his head.
Bhanwari(36), who was posted as auxiliary nurse midwife at a sub-centre in Jaliwada village, around 120 kms from Jodhpur district, went missing on September 1.
Her husband Amarchand has alleged that she was abducted at the behest of Maderna and his associates. The charges have been refuted by them.
The minister, however, was dismissed from the state government on Sunday.
"We are gathering evidence. We will question Maderna once we have enough material," a CBI official said.
The minister, however, stayed away from the media for the second day.
"He is at home and does not want to speak to the media," a staff member at his residence said.
Sources said that CBI was working on the possibility of the murder of Bhanwari Devi as it has got some indication that her body may have been burnt in some limestone quarry in the state.
A team of agency officials is in the state vigorously tracking all the forensic evidence from various locations where Bhanwari Devi's presence was suspected.
It is trying to build a chain of forensic evidence before Maderna may be called for questioning, they said.
Bhanwari was last seen at the sub-centre on August 24.
The CBI moved an application in the CBI court Jodhpur seeking the custody of Bishnoi and Balia for interrogation.
The court, however, permitted the CBI to interrogate both of them in jail on October 19 and 20 between 11.00 AM.
A five-member CBI team has so far interrogated Amarchand and discussed the matter in detail with local police officers.
The team also looked into call details of those arrested and collected video albums in which she has worked. The agency is presently trying to ascertain the source of money for Bhanwari Devi who is said to have led a lavish lifestyle, they said.
Bhanwari's name had sprung up sometime ago after a CD, which allegedly showed her in a compromising position with the minister and an MLA, was circulated.
The Jodhpur police had announced a cash reward of Rs 4,000 for any information regarding Bhanwari.
Police had arrested Bishnoi soon after she went missing.
The woman had sold her car to Bishnoi and was on her way to collect payment from him in Bilada on September 1 when she disappeared.
A few persons were also rounded up from Sikar district who had told police that the woman was murdered by a gang in Uttar Pradesh.
Bhanwari, who has two daughters and a son, has also worked in a few local music video albums and was said to be actively involved with the Congress party.
Meanwhile, taking serious note of the criticism of Chief Minister Gehlot by former leader leader Hari Singh on the issue, PCC chief Chandrabhan asked the party's discipline committee to look into the matter.
Singh while reacting to the dismissal of Maderna in the wake of Bhanwari Devi missing case criticised both Gehlot and Chandrabhan and said the action was unfair.
"The PCC president has referred the matter to the party's discipline committee and asked it to submit a report,' a party sources said in Jaipur.
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