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Bhanwari Devi murder case

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For the 1992 case, see Bhanwari Devi.

Bhanwari Devi was a 36-year-old[1] Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) .

Alleged blackmailer went missing

Bhanwari Devi went missing on 1 September 2011. Her husband Amarchand alleged that she was abducted on orders of Mahipal Maderna.[2] It was alleged that Bhanwari Devi was blackmailing Maderna and Congress legislator Malkhan Singh for crores (millions) based upon a CD in which Maderna and others were seen in a compromising position with Bhanwari Devi. The two politicians allegedly brought in a person named Sahiram Bishnoi, who hired Sohan Lal, Balia and Shahabuddin to kidnap the nurse.[3][4] In November 2011, Rehana, the girlfriend of the key suspect Shahabuddin, leaked an audio clip of the CD to the reporters. Her discussion with Shahabuddin in the Jodhpur Central Jail was recorded. During the discussion Shahabuddin told Rehana that Bhanwari Devi was handed over to the gang of Pradeep Godara, a criminal wanted by the Rajasthan police in several cases. He also said that he had been falsely implicated in the case, and did not know what happened to Devi.[5]

Investigations

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was rebuked by the High Court about his inaction in case. So he sacked Maderna from the Cabinet on 16 October 2011. Maderna was representing the Osian Assembly Constituency.[6][7] Later this case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Arrests

The CBI arrested Mahipal Maderna on 3 December and questioned him. He was confronted with the key suspects, Sahiram Bishnoi, Shahabuddin and Sohan Lal Bishnoi in jail.[8][9] On 6 January the CBI claimed to know the whereabouts of disposal of Bhanwari Devi's body. Investigation officers were praised by the CBI director for solving this case in 100 days. The agency is about to file a second chargesheet after admission of the Bishnaram gang on the disposal of her body at Jaloda village near Osian village in Jodhpur.[10] On 17 January 2012, one of Bishnaram's gang members, Ashok Bishnoi, surrendered to the police.[11]

Operation Watch

Police found evidence of weapons used to kill Devi in a canal due to "Operation Watch". Divers found two pistols and a bat, reportedly used to crush Devi's skull, in Rajiv Gandhi Canal. A wrist watch, some pieces of bones and a few personal articles, including a ring and a locket, were also recovered from the canal. It is not yet verified whether the articles belonged to Bhanwari Devi.[12] Her ashes were dumped in the canal as admitted by the accused Bishnaram and Kailash Jakhar.[1] The pieces of burnt bone were also recovered which were submitted to T D Dogra at AIIMS New Delhi for examination by the CBI.[13]

Charge sheet

In a second charge sheet the CBI projected Malkhan Singh as Bhanwari's onetime partner. Malkhan Singh used her to upstage Maderna but later allied with Maderna to murder her. Malkhan's sister Indira Devi and Bhanwari Devi planned to shoot controversial video to make it public later and malign Maderna. But contrary to Malkhan's plan Bhanwari started to blackmail Malkhan too. Additionally Indira Devi who is absconding acted as a troubleshooter for both leaders while dealing with Bhanwari. Indira interfered whenever Bhanwari threatened to go public about the tape.[14] In the charge sheet against 13 accused, Maderna and Malkhan Singh was charged with murder, abduction, criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence. Amarchand, Bhanwari's husband charged with criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence and abduction. But investigation against four persons including absconding Indira Devi are pending. In another revelation CBI said that a DNA test proved that Bhanwari's youngest daughter Gungun was fathered by Malkhan.[15]

The CBI chargesheet in the Bhanwari Devi murder case describes her as a social climber with "big ambitions". Former Rajasthan cabinet minister Mahipal Maderna and Congress MLA Malkhan Singh Bishnoi, both charged with murder, are depicted as men fond of "sura aur sundari" (wine and women).

The chargesheet also mentions that Bhanwari made two video recordings, in different locations, showing Maderna and her in a "compromising position".[15]

Family

Bhanwari has two children - one boy, aged 18, and one girl, aged 7. On 16 January, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot promised financial compensation and assistance with work and education for the children since they were facing social stigma.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b "Police find crucial evidence in Rajasthan canal". Times of India. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Bhanwari case: CBI grills former Rajasthan minister". The Hindu. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Bhanwari Devi CD expose: Sex, lies and blackmail". The Pioneer. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Bhanwari Devi case: CBI achieves breakthrough with the arrest of Kailash Jakhar". Times of India. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  5. ^ Bhanwari case: Audio tape gives new spin
  6. ^ "Bhanwari Case: Maderna sent to CBI Custody". Hindu. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  7. ^ "Bhanwari Devi case: Ashok Gehlot sacks Mahipal Maderna". The Economic times. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  8. ^ "CBI questions Maderna in jail". Times of India. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  9. ^ "Bhanwari Devi case: Sahiram, Maderna jointly quizzed in jail". Times of India. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  10. ^ "Final charge-sheet likely by month-end". Times of India. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  11. ^ "Bhanwari Devi case: Accused surrenders before police". The Times of India. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  12. ^ "Bat was used to smash her skull". Daily bhaskar. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  13. ^ "FBI report is first ever proof of Bhanwari's Death". Times of India. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  14. ^ "MLA used her against Maderna, then both plotted her murder". The Indian Express. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  15. ^ a b "Maderna charged with murder". Times of India. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  16. ^ "Rajastan Announces Aid for Bhanwari Devi's Children". Hindu. 16 January 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
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