Bhanwari case: CBI to file closure report

Ajay Parmar TNN 

Jodhpur: The CBI will submit a closure report on the habeas corpus petition filed by missing nurse Bhanwari Devi’s husband Amarchand in the Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday. 
    At a hearing last month, the CBI said it would submit a status report requesting the court to drop the petition on the basis of its conclusion that the nurse was dead. 
    Probe into Bhanwari Devi’s case began with Amarchand’s habeas corpus petition. Bhanwari had gone missing last September. Fourteen people, including former state minister Mahipal Maderna and Congress MLA from Luni constituency Malkhan Singh Bishnoi, were arrested in the case. It was alleged that Bhanwari was blackmailing Maderna about a sleaze CD. So, the minister allegedly wanted her killed. The CBI claimed to have found her bones from Jaloda village in Jodhpur where she was allegedly burnt to death. 
    Sources said the CBI is taking time to file the chargesheet because Malkhan Singh’s sister Indra Bishnoi, a prime suspect, is still at large. Report of samples collected from Jaloda, where Bhanwari was said to be disposed of, is still awaited. “We are expecting to file the chargesheet by the end of this month,” said Dharini Mishra, CBI spokesperson. 
    During the last hearing, the CBI told the court that Bhanwari was dead and that there was no point maintaining the habeas corpus. The CBI also told the court that the final chargesheet would be filed after the absconders were arrested. The court though asked asked the CBI to file a report in court and listed the matter for hearing on February 21. 
‘CBI harassing Bishnoi community’ 
    On the eve of famous “Mukam Mela” of Bishnoi society held at village Mukam of Nokha (Bikaner), society leaders hinted at agitation to protest against CBI allegedly torturing Amri Devi, mother of MLA Malkhan Singh Bishnoi. Former MLA Hetram Bishnoi from Sriganganagar said the CBI was acting at the behest of political leaders and harassing those belonging to the Bishnoi community. Akhil Bhartiya Bishnoi Mahasabha spokesman Darshan Singh said the community will decide on future protests on the issue.