Jaipur:
The Bhanwari Devi case is getting murkier by the day. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the case, is questioning the missing midwife's husband Amarchand Nat, who is suspected of being part of the conspiracy to abduct and kill her.
Bhanwari Devi went missing from Jodhpur in Rajasthan on September 1.
The probe agency's doubts strengthened after Amarchand allegedly attempted to escape from the CBI questioning centre in Jodhpur last Wednesday, when confronted with some disturbing questions by the officials regarding the case of his wife's alleged abduction. He was subsequently arrested. His remand ends today.
Amarchand, who investigators earlier said was not co-operating with the probe, is now proving to be a useful witness. In a startling revelation, Amarchand has allegedly told the investigating agency that his youngest daughter was actually fathered by Luni MLA Malkhan Singh.
Bhanwari Devi's twisted saga has seen many influential persons emerge as principal characters, most notable being sacked Water Resources Minister in the Ashok Gehlot government, Mahipal Maderna and Malkhan Singh.
When the CBI grilled Mr Maderna, he allegedly told the investigators that Malkhan Singh and Bhanwari Devi had a long relationship and that it was Mr Singh who had introduced her to him.
A CD which was circulated soon after she went missing allegedly shows Bhanwari Devi in a compromising position with Mr Maderna. The CBI has been investigating whether Bhanwari Devi tried to blackmail Mr Maderna for money, threatening to make their relationship public.
Interestingly, Amarchand has reportedly told the CBI that Bhanwari had made a CD not only of her relations with Mr Maderna but also with Mr Singh.
On the day Bhanwari went missing, Amarchand had taken his car for repair to Pipda but the CBI has found out that no repairs were carried out on the car. This has led to suspicion about why he took the car there. This and several other questions remain unanswered.
The CBI arrested Mr Maderna on December 3 on charges of getting Bhanwari Devi killed. It was alleged that he had hired one Sahi Ram Bishnoi, a small-time politician from Jodhpur. Sahi Ram then allegedly assigned the task to Shahabuddin, Sohan Lal Bishnoi and Baldev Jaat alias Balia to kidnap the nurse.
Mr Maderna was sacked by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on October 16.
The CBI has also questioned Mr Singh in the past but since Friday he has refused to appear before the CBI, claiming to be sick and in Delhi. The CBI on Tuesday stuck a summons notice outside his residence.