In what could be a major setback to the on-going CBI probe into the Bhanwari Devi murder case, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) experts have found that most of the remains of bones sent to it to ascertain if they belonged to the slain auxiliary nurse actually belong to animals. Just two of the several bone remains sent to AIIMS for forensic examination belong to a human being.
Earlier, the CBI had claimed a major breakthrough by saying that Bhanwari Devi’s remains had been found in a canal in Jaloda village in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Three containers of bone remains were then sent to AIIMS for a DNA test to ascertain if they were the remains of Bhanwari Devi.
Having examined the bones remains, the forensic department has concluded that just two of the 17 pieces belong to a human. The rest being those of animals, AIIMS then had to call in a veterinary doctor to confirm that it was indeed so. The two bone fragments that belong to humans are the humerus (upper arm bone).
Now, experts say that the forensic analysis of the human bones too may not lead to a conclusive link with Bhanwari Devi. They said, “It will be difficult to fix the identity as most of the bones are in a charred condition. The degree of burns is as high as 80 per cent. Even if a DNA analysis is conducted, it will take a lot of time. Chances of fixing the identity therefore remain bleak,” a forensic expert said.
The CBI has also sent bone and teeth samples to the FBI to ascertain if they belong to Bhanwari Devi.
The CBI had recovered key material evidence, including Bhanwari’s personal belongings, watch and jewellery, from the Rajiv Gandhi canal near Jodhpur. Other things that were recovered included a gunny bag, a wrist watch, a toe ring, nose pin, broken pieces of jewellery (including a pendant), charred bone pieces, five teeth, a wooden bat and two country-made pistols apart from some clothes.
The CBI will soon file its final report that will be considered as evidence in the court of law. According to sources agency’s “probe has revealed that both former Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna and former Congress MLA Malkhan Singh allegedly masterminded Bhanwari’s killing. Both are in judicial custody.