The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to resume questioning of former Rajasthan Water Resources Minister, Mahipal Maderna, with regard to the disappearance of Bhanwari Devi, 36, today. The CBI is reportedly under pressure from the Rajasthan High Court to complete its investigations on or before Nov. 24.
Maderna was admitted to a Jodhpur hospital on Nov. 11, just hours before the CBI was to begin its third round of questioning. He complained of chest pain; the former Minister was discharged from the hospital on Friday night. During earlier sessions, the former Minister did admit to an affair with the missing woman but denied any role in her disappearance.
Bhanwari Devi, a house nurse, went missing on Sept. 1 from Biladar, near Jodhpur. It is believed that she had an affair with Maderna, following which claims of blackmail and extortion were made against her.
The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, dropped Maderna from his cabinet on Oct. 16, following a court directive that the latter be charged with abduction and murder. On Sunday, Maderna was suspended from the Congress party.
The CBI, on Tuesday, announced a reward of Rs. 10 lakhs, to anyone providing credible information about the case. Meanwhile, the judicial custody of a key suspect in the case, Shahabuddin, will end on Saturday.
