The CBI finally questioned sacked Rajasthan water resources minister Mahipal Maderna on Thursday in Jodhpur for his alleged involvement in the disappearance of a nurse, Bhanwari Devi, while a 48-minute video CD showing the ex-minister and the nurse also came into the open.
Mr Maderna appeared before the CBI at its Jodhpur office. The Opposition BJP also raised the issue during Mr L.K. Advani’s Janchetna Yatra while chief minister Ashok Gehlot questioned the long silence of the BJP leaders.
A habeas corpus filed by Bhanwari’s husband, Amarchand, will come up before the high court on Friday and the CBI has been asked to file a status report in the case. According to sources, Mr Maderna admitted he met Bhanwari but said he had noting to do with her disappearance.
Though the CBI was tight-lipped about the over-five-hour interrogation, sources said Mr Maderna admitted he was acquainted with the missing nurse but that he has nothing to do with her disappearance. Bhanwari, a dalit woman from Jodhpur who worked as a nurse at a primary health centre in a village, has been missing since September 1.