Cong suspends Maderna; wife defends him

Cracking the whip, Congress on Saturday night suspended sacked Rajasthan Minister Mahipal Maderna, a suspect in Bhanwari disappearance case, from the primary membership of the party.

Maderna, who was grilled by CBI for two consecutive days but skipped questioning in connection with the case today citing ill-health, was suspended by Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee(RPCC) President Dr Chandrabahn.

Action against Maderna was on the cards with the RPCC contemplating action after a CD purportedly showing him in a compromising position with Bhanwari, an auxilliary nurse, came into public domain. The controversy involving Maderna has hit the Ashok Gehlot Government amid calls by opposition BJP for the Chief Minister’s resignation.

CBI continued questioning Congress MLA Malkhan Singh and Maderna’s wife Leela for Leela defended her husband claiming he is innocent and that the CD in question “was fabricated”.

Maderna, who was asked to come today for the third consecutive day for questioning, failed to turn up and sent a medical certificate to the concerned CBI officials here, agency sources said.

After getting the certificate, CBI exempted Maderna from questioning on health grounds.