New Delhi, November 11: The case of missing nurse Bhanwari Devi took a dramatic turn on Thursday when a private news channel aired a video clipping showing sacked water resources minister Mahipal Maderna with Bhanwari in a compromising position.
The channel claimed the clip was from a 48- minute film on CD. The telecast timing is intriguing since it coincided with the CBI’s questioning of Maderna at the investigating agency’s Jodhpur office. It was the first time since the nurse went missing on September 1 that the former minister was grilled.
The CBI had summoned him to depose at its camp office in the Jodhpur circuit house and reportedly tipped off a section of the electronic media about his arrival.
When Maderna arrived at the circuit house, he found a large media contingent waiting for him. Subsequently, he was taken to the CBI office to “ avoid” the media.
As soon as Maderna came out around 3.30 pm after four hours of grilling, he was taken back into the office by the CBI sleuths to spare him the embarrassment following the airing of the CD clip. Finally, after a sevenhour grilling, he was allowed to leave the CBI office around 6 pm.
The interrogation is likely to continue on Friday. Maderna, believed to have given valuable information in the case, has reportedly assured the investigating agency of full cooperation.
The channel airing the clip claimed it had sent copies of the CD to the CBI director and the Rajasthan High Court, which is hearing the habeas corpus filed by Bhanwari’s husband Amar Chand.
The CBI has to file a status report on its investigation before the court on Friday.
Some people in Jaipur claimed the same 30- second clipping had been circulated as an MMS in July this year, following which the case buzz enveloped the political circles and the media.
Meanwhile, the CBI court on Wednesday declared Sahi Ram Vishnoi, an accused in the case, an absconder and issued an arrest warrant against him. On October 22 too, the court had issued the warrant but it could not be served on Vishnoi, after which the CBI requested the court on November 5 to declare him an absconder.
A notification would now be published in newspapers to this effect. If Vishnoi still does not surrender within 30 days, the CBI would initiate action to seize his assets, CBI counsel S. S. Yadav said.
Vishnoi, Maderna’s deputy when he was the Jodhpur zila pramukh , is said to be close to the sacked minister.
Maderna is also an accused after the police registered an FIR against him following a court order in response to Amar Chand’s complaint holding him responsible for Bhanwari’s abduction and possible murder.
Courtesy: Mailtoday.in