CBI charges Maderna, Bishnoi with murdering Bhanwari Devi

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday filed a supplementary charge sheet in the Bhanwari Devi murder case, with the charges of murder and destruction of evidence against former minister Mahipal Maderna and Paras Ram Bishnoi.

This is the second charge sheet after the preliminary one filed on December 2 accusing Sohan Lal Bishnoi, Shahabuddin and Balia of criminal conspiracy, abduction with a view to murder, besides booking them under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

This fresh charge sheet containing 97 pages, has now been filed against Mahipal Maderna, Malkhan Singh Bishnoi, Paras Ram Bishnoi, Sahi Ram Bishnoi, Amarchand, Umesha Ram, Bishna Ram Bishnoi, Kailash Jakhar, Om Prakash Bishnoi and Ashok Bishnoi in addition to Sohan Lal, Shahabuddin and Balia.

All of them have been charged with criminal conspiracy, abduction with an intention to murder, murder and destruction of evidences, besides being booked under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Only Amarchand, husband of Bhanwari Devi, has been spared under murder charge and SC/ST Act, though he had been informed by accused Sohan Lal that his wife would be abducted.

The CBI has booked 17 accused and filed charge sheet against 13. Investigation against Pukh Raj Bishnoi, Dinesh Bishnoi, Reshma Ram Bishnoi and Indra Bishnoi is on and charge sheet would be filed later.

Indra Bishnoi is still absconding and the high court has stayed her arrest warrant till March 5. Her surrender will enable the CBI to file its final charge sheet in the case.
The latest charge sheet bears the list of 300 witnesses, including those, from the preliminary charge sheet.

Of these the statements of 76 witnesses are yet to be recorded by the CBI. This charge sheet is supported by 313 documents and 93 articles.