Sahiram Bishnoi, a key absconding accused in the 36-year-old Jodhpur’s auxiliary nurse-cum-folk singer-Bhanwari Devi’s case, on Friday surrendered before the special CBI court in Jodhpur. The court remanded Sahiram, who was carrying a cash reward of `5 lakhs on his head, in CBI custody till January 2.
According to sources Mr Bishnoi, who had been absconding since Bhanwari Devi went missing on September 1, was close to former Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna. He was also close to former Congress MLA Malkhan Singh. Sahiram appeared before the Special court in Jodhpur on Friday and surrendered. While Mr Maderna was arrested by the CBI on December 2, Singh was arrested by the agency on December 19 in connection with the case.
The court also issued arrest warrants against five others, including Indra Bishnoi, sister of Mr Malkhan Singh. Others against whom arrest warrants were issued are Dinesh, nephew of Sohan Ram, Pukhraj, Sohan Ram’s son, Kailash Jakhar, a member of Bishnaram Bishnoi gang and Umesh Kareer, an aide of Mr Bishnoi.
While appearing for Mr Bishnoi, his counsel Ram Kumar Singh told the court that Mr Bishnoi was on a pilgrimage for the past three months and when he learnt that his property was being attached and his family members were being allegedly harassed by the CBI, he reached the city and decided to surrender before the court.