JODHPUR: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday quizzed sacked Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna in a jail here in the case of missing nurse Bhanwari Devi, sources said. Maderna who allegedly features on a CD in a compromising position with nurse Bhanwari Devi was confronted with the key suspects, Sahiram Bishnoi, Shahabuddin and Sohan Lal Bishnoi.
"The four accused were quizzed simultaneously in the Jodhpur Central Jail. The CBI had got permission in this regard from the court of an additional chief judicial magistrate," sources in the CBI told IANS.
Maderna was arrested by the CBI Dec 3 for his alleged role in the disappearance of the nurse Sep 1. He was also suspended from the primary membership of the Congress over his alleged role in the case.
He allegedly involved Sahiram Bishnoi, a small-time politician from Jodhpur, for the job.
Sahiram Bishnoi is accused of hiring Shahabuddin, Sohan Lal and Baldev Jaat alias Balia to kidnap Bhanwari on Sep 1.
"Sahiram, who is in CBI custody till Jan 6, was taken to Jodhpur Central Jail and was confronted with Maderna, Shahabuddin and Sohan Lal," said the sources.
They added that the agency wanted to verify some evidence that came up during interrogation of Sahiram.
The CBI has so far arrested Shahabuddin, Sohan Lal Bishnoi and Baldev Jaat, Omprakash Bishnoi, Sahiram Bishnoi, his friend Umesharam Bishnoi, Bhanwari's husband Amarchand and Malkhan's brother Parasram Bishnoi in the case.
The CBI also arrested Congress legislator from Luni constituency Malkhan Singh Bishnoi in the case on Dec 19. A court in Jodhpur on Monday remanded him in judicial custody till Jan 16. The CBI is also carrying out raids in search of Malkhan's sister Indra Bishnoi.
The CBI on Jan 1 carried out an aerial survey of Jadol area in the Jodhopur rural suspecting that the nurse's body was buried in the ground somewhere there. The area was videographed using helicopter.