Maderna 'uncooperative', reward on 2nd suspect

Sacked Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna, who is being questioned by CBI in New Delhi in Bhanwari Devi abduction case, is "not cooperating" with the agency, prompting it to evaluate possibility of subjecting him to scientific tests.

Sacked Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna, who is being questioned by CBI in New Delhi in Bhanwari Devi abduction case, is "not cooperating" with the agency, prompting it to evaluate possibility of subjecting him to scientific tests.

Taking the probe further, CBI also announced a reward of Rs five lakh for any information leading to the arrest of another suspect Bishna Ram Bishnoi, who allegedly played an important role in the disappearance of nurse Bhanwari in September.

Rajasthan Police has already announced a reward on Bishnoi who is wanted in other cases.

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The CBI brought Maderna to Delhi from Jodhpur yesterday for questining but agency sources said that the 59-year-old MLA remains uncooperative on crucial questions posed by the sleuths.

The CBI is now evaluating possibility of conducting polygraphic test and braing mapping on him, the sources said.

To carry out these tests, the agency would require Maderna's consent and court's permission. As per the norms, the denial of consent would be held against Maderna at the charge sheet stage.

Maderna was arrested on Friday in Jodhpur by the CBI along with Parasram Bishnoi, the brother of Congress MLA Malkhan Singh, hours after it filed charge sheet against three other arrested accused. He was sent to CBI custody till December 9 by the Jodhpur court. A day after Maderna's arrest, CBI officials had alleged that they were being threatened.

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan high court has stayed the permission of a lower court to conduct a voice test on accused Sohan Lal Bishnoi to verify the authenticity of some audio clips related to Bhanwari.

The clips have voices of Sohan Lal and another accused Shahbuddin, both currently under judicial custody.

Shahbuddin, Baliya and Sohanlal have been chargesheeted by the agency.

Magistrate Kailash Chandra Joshi issued the direction on application of Bishnoi, challenging the CBI court's approval to conduct the test.

Bhanwari, posted as an auxiliary nurse midwife at a sub-centre in Jaliwada village, went missing on September 1 after a CD allegedly showing Maderna in a compromising position with her was circulated.

Maderna, who represents Osian Assembly constituency, was sacked from the Cabinet on October 16 by chief minister Ashok Gehlot after his name cropped up in the case.