Bhanwari's sister moves SC, says witnesses being threatened

New Delhi: The elder sister of Bhanwari Devi on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking the transfer of the murder case out of Rajasthan, claiming that the witnesses were being threatened. Though she did not name anyone, but alleged that the case will not get a fair hearing in Rajasthan.

After hearing the petition, the apex court issued notice to the CBI and the Rajasthan government.

Earlier, accused Kailash Jakhar, who had escaped from the High Court premises in Jodhpur after armed assailants opened fire to help him flee, was on Monday arrested.

On a tip off, police arrested Jakhar from a small hamlet surrounded by sand dunes near Sujangarh in Churu district at about 3 am, Jodhpur Police Commissioner Bhupendra Kumar Dak said.

"He is currently under the custody of Jodhpur Police and will be produced in court," he said.

The Jodhpur Police had launched a massive operation to trace Jakhar in Johdpur, Barmer and Bikaner districts and had also sent police teams to states like Gujarat, Karnataka and Orissa.

They had also announced a cash reward of Rs.50,000 for any information leading to arrest of Jakhar besides announcing cash rewards of Rs. 1000 each on those who had helped him escape from the court.

Jakhar had escaped from the court premises on June 14 when his accomplices opened fire to create panic.

Fourteen persons have been arrested for helping Jakhar flee from police custody.

(With additional inputs from PTI)

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