Jodhpur, December 23
Key absconding accused in Bhanwari Devi abduction case Sahiram Bishnoi, who carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh, today surrendered before the special court here and was remanded in the CBI custody till January 2.

Considered close to sacked Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna, already behind bars, Sahiram, who had been absconding since Bhanwari Devi went missing on September 1, appeared before the special court here and surrendered.

His counsel Ramavtar Singh Choudhary told the court that Bishnoi was on a "pilgrimage" for the past three months and when he learnt that his property was being attached and his family members were being allegedly harassed by the CBI, he reached the city and surrendered before the court. The court remanded him in CBI custody till January 2.

"After sustained interrogation and widespread search operations by CBI, absconding accused Sahiram surrendered today in the special court at Jodhpur," CBI spokesperson Dharini Mishra said in New Delhi.

She further said investigation is on to unearth the larger conspiracy so as to identify the other conspirators and perpetrators of this crime.

One of the key accused Shahbuddin has told CBI that he had abducted Bhanwari in September on the directions of Bishnoi, CBI sources said.

Bhanwari went missing on September 1 and Maderna is accused of having a role in her disappearance. — PTI