CBI questions ex-Rajasthan minister in Bhanwari Devi case

Former Rajasthan Minister Mahipal Maderna has been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over his involvement in the Bhanwari Devi case. Maderna is a key accused in the case. He was questioned at the Circuit House in Jodhpur, where the CBI team investigating the case is camping. The minister, who was allegedly involved in an extra-marital affair with Bhanwari Devi, was caught in a compromising position with her in a video grab. After parts of the alleged video were aired on news channels, Devi went missing. With his government under fire for the disappearance of Bhanwari Devi, a midwife and nurse, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had sacked Mr Maderna from his cabinet on October 16. [caption id=“attachment_128052” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Bhanwari Devi went missing on September 1.PTI”]  [/caption] Maderna, who held the the Water Resources portfolio, has been accused of kidnapping and murdering Bhanwari Devi. The 36-year-old auxiliary nurse midwife went missing near Jodhpur on September 1. Her husband, Amarchand Nat has alleged that she was abducted by Maderna and his associates. The case was handed over to the CBI on September 14 after much hue and cry in the state.

Maderna has so far refuted all the charges levelled against him.

Three persons who had allegedly lured the nurse out of the house have been arrested. They have told the CBI that they handed Bhanwari Devi over to another gang, police said.

Agencies