Bhanwari Devi case: BJP demands Rajasthan CM Gehlot's resignation

New Delhi, Nov. 13 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday accused Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of covering up the crime in the mysterious disappearance of a nurse Bhanwari Devi and demanded his resignation for failing to maintain law and order in the state.

After the CD controversy, his (Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot) ministers are giving in their resignations, but why is the chief minister still holding on to his post? Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to ask and wants them to answer that the Rajasthan state chief, who has covered up the crime, can still keep his post?" said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.

Hussain also came down heavily on the ruling Congress Party for ignoring the issue and not taking any action.

"In Rajasthan, there is a complete failure of law and order. And, if such a situation existed in any other state, then the Congress leaders would have made several kinds of accusations," said Hussain.

According to certain media reports, supporters of sacked Rajasthan Minister Mahipal Maderna, an accused in Bhanwari Devi case, attacked reporters of a network channel in Jodhpur on Sunday.

"In Rajasthan, the office of ETV (a channel) was attacked and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemns this act," Hussain added.

Maderna, who was being interrogated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths in Bhanwari Devi disappearance case, has skipped the questioning on health grounds. He has reportedly been hospitalised after he complained of chest pain.

The CBI has so far seized a camcorder and a computer, which may hold vital clues about the mysterious disappearance of Bhanwari Devi.

It has sought help of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory as well as private experts to retrieve the data.

The agency stumbled upon the camcorder and the computer during one of its searches in connection with the case, but found that data has been erased.

Bhanwari, 36, was posted as auxiliary nurse and midwife at a sub-centre in Jaliwada village, around 120 kms from Jodhpur, and went missing on September one.

Her husband, Amarchand, has alleged she was abducted at the behest of Maderna and his associates.

The charges were denied by Maderna, who was sacked by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on October 16.

Earlier this month, the CBI has announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for information about whereabouts of Bhanwari.

The investigating agency also announced another Rs one lakh for information leading to the arrest of absconding accused Sahiram, who is suspected to be the mastermind behind Devi's disappearance. (ANI)