Bhanwari Devi case: CBI registers third chargesheet

New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Saturday filed the third chargesheet against four people in connection with the murder of Bhanwari Devi, a Jodhpur nurse and folk singer who was abducted and murdered in September 2011.

The agency filed the chargesheet in a CBI court in Jodhpur against the four -- Pukhraj Bishnoi, Dinesh Bishnoi, Reshmaram Bishnoi and Indra Bishnoi.

A CBI official informed that Pukhraj, Dinesh and Reshmaram are in judicial custody while Indra is absconding.

The court has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against her followed by proceedings.

A reward of Rs.5 lakh has also been declared for anyone who helps in the arrest of Indra Bishnoi.

The CBI registered the case Oct 11, 2011 relating to the alleged abduction of Bhanwari Devi, a resident of Berunda village of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan, on the request of the Rajasthan government and further notification from the government of India.

The case was earlier registered by Rajasthan police on Sept 5, 2011 at the Bilada police station.

As per the first chargesheet filed Dec 2, 2011, it was mentioned that Bhanwari Devi was abducted Sept 1, 2011 when she left for Bilada at about 1 p.m. by the Rajasthan Roadways bus for collecting the payment of her car, which was reportedly sold to a person of Tilbasni village in Jodhpur district, and was later killed.

"It was also alleged that her body was later disposed of and thrown into a canal," reads the chargesheet.

The second charge-sheet was filed Feb 29, 2012 in a CBI court in Jodhpur against 13 accused persons, including the then minister of water resources of Rajasthan, Mahipal Maderna and a Rajasthan MLA, Malkhan Singh Bishnoi, both of whom are currently in judicial custody in Jodhpur Central Jail.