Bhanwari case: Bishnoi declared absconder

A Central Bureau of Investigation court on Wednesday declared Sai Ram Bishnoi, an accused in the Bhanwari Devi missing case, as an absconder and issued a standing arrest warrant against him.

On October 22, the CBI court had issued an arrest warrant against Bishnoi which could not be served on him.

The CBI had moved an application in the court on November 5, to declare him an absconder and issue a standing arrest warrant against him.

"Now a notification will be published in newspapers to this effect and if he does not surrender within 30 days, the CBI will initiate action to seize his assets," CBI counsel S S Yadav said.

Bishnoi is said to be close to sacked Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna, also an accused in the case.

Bhanwari, 36, posted as auxiliary nurse and midwife at a sub-centre in Jaliwada village, around 120 kms from Jodhpur, went missing on September 1.

Her husband Amarchand had 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.