Days before her kidnapping on September 1, nurse Bhanwari Devi was believed to be negotiating a multi-crore deal with sacked Minister Mahipal Maderna and his opponents to trade off the CD in which she was seen in a compromising position with Maderna and some others. She was sure that revelations in the CD would lead to the fall of the Gehlot Government in Rajasthan.
A four-minute audio clip, now in the possession of the CBI, allegedly contains snatches of conversation between Bhanwari Devi and Indira Bishnoi, sister of Malkhan Singh, Congress MLA from Luni. The CBI sleuths interrogated Indira Bishoni for nearly six hours to check the authenticity of the clip and also to dig out some details about the relations among Bhanwari Devi and Indira’s brother, Maderna, and others.
In the tape, Indira Bishnoi reportedly tells Bhanwari Devi that Sahi Ram, an accused in the case who is still absconding, has already talked to the Minister for the payment. But Bhanwari Devi refused to believe and threatened to give the CD to his opponents, who were willing to pay up to `7 crore. In her ultimatum-like tone, Bhanwari Devi said if the agreed amount was not paid within four days, she would either hand over the CD to police or to any private TV channel.
The contents of the CD would not only finish the political career of Maderna, but also eclipse the Ashok Gehlot Government, she had said.
Against the background of the tape is Bhanwari Devi’s complex relations with Malkhan Singh, his younger brother Parasam, also a Congress leader, their sister Indira Bishnoi and their cousin Sohan Lal Bishnoi, a local PHED contractor, at whose behest Shahbuddin brought Bhanwari Devi to Bilara from where she is said to have disappeared. Sahi Ram is also their close relative.
According to locals, whispers of an affair between Malkhan Singh and Bhanwari Devi were doing the rounds for several years. She even used to claim that her younger daughter was born out of her affair with Malkhan Singh.
She is said to have created a ruckus during the wedding of Malkhan Singh’s daughter. When Maderna became Minister, it was Malkhan Singh who took Bhanwari Devi to him.
In the conversation in Marwari, at one place Bhanwari Devi refers to Sohan Lal striking the CD deal with some parties in Delhi. “He had made a deal of `7 crore, out of which I would get `5 crore and the rest would go to Sohan Lal.” Sohan Lal is already under arrest.
Then, she insisted that Indira Bishnoi should talk to Malkhan Singh to settle the matter after talking to the Minister. But, Indira says, now he has nothing to do with his brother on this issue.
According to experts, the voice of Bhanwari Devi indicates that she was in a drunken state. She uses abusive language at places and Indira Bishnoi was equally caustic in her response.
Following are excerpts from the taped conversation:
Bhanwari Devi: Why you disconnect my calls. I want to convey some thing important. Now, listen to me.
Indira Bishnoi: There is no point in talking about the things of the past.
Bhanwari Devi: Sohanio (Sohan Lal) has made a deal with a Delhi party three days back. I would get `5 crore and he would get `2 crore. Party claims that CD would lead to the fall of Ashok Gehlot Government.
Indira Bishnoi: Humm
Bhanwari Devi: Are you listening?. Sahi Ram came to me ten days back and assured that he would talk to Saheb (Maderna). But nothing came out as Saheb told him that Bhanwari Devi has nothing in her possession. But you know what I have got with me. Tell your brother Malkhan to convey this to the Minister. I would wait only for four days and then things would be on TV.
Indira Bishnoi: I have no contact with Malkhan Singh. Why don’t you talk to the Minister directly.
Bhanwari Devi: Don’t tell me you are not in touch with your brother. I would also derail his political carrier.
Indira Bishnoi: You have got some money from Maderna and now your demand is increasing.
Bhanwari Devi: Not much, I need more. I would keep two bodyguards and would tell them what I am.
