The CBI, probing the Bhanwari Devi case, has ascertained the identity of the person who ordered the killing of the 36-year-old Jodhpur's auxiliary nurse-cum-folk singer. The agency is set to file supplementary chargesheet in the case within a month.
Sources in the agency said questioning of Sahiram Bishnoi, a key accused in the case, has provided vital clues to the agency. “Revelations made by Sahiram helped the agency in ascertaining the identity of the person who ordered the killing,” sources added.
“On the basis of revelations made by Sahi Ram, the agency is now preparing to record the statement of former Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna. The agency will once again record the statement of former Congress MLA Malkhan Singh also in this regard,” sources said.
Sources further said, “The agency probe has revealed that Maderna allegedly hired Sahi Ram for `50 lakhs to get a CD from Devi. When Devi refused to give the CD, allegedly showing Maderna in compromising position with the folk singer, to them, Shahabuddin and Sohan Lal allegedly strangled her on the directions of Sahiram in a Bolero jeep on September 1.” Both Shahabuddin and Sohan Lal were allegedly hired by Shahbuddin, sources added.
The agency has also identified the role of a Jodhpur-based gang in allegedly disposing off the body of Bhanwari, a job that was contracted to it by another group of criminals that is suspected of abducting and killing her on September 1. A criminal facing around 44 cases of serious crimes in Jodhpur and other districts, Bishna Ram Bishnoi, leads the gang that disposed off Devi’s body, sources added. The agency has intensified its efforts to nab Indra Bishnoi, sister of Malkhan Singh, and absconding Bishna Ram.
Meanwhile, Umesha Ram, another suspect in the case, on Monday surrendered before the Jodhpur police. He was closely associated with Sahi Ram.