The case of missing midwife-nurse Bhanwari Devi took a sensational turn on Monday when Congress MLA Malkhan Singh's sister Indira Vishnoi revealed that about 18 months ago, Bhanwari had informed Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot about the controversial CD showing her in a compromising position with dismissed minister Mahipal Maderna.

Indira told this to reporters just before entering the CBI's camp office in Jodhpur's Circuit House on Monday. She alleged that Gehlot had asked the nurse to settle the matter with Maderna.

Indira was questioned by the CBI on Thursday after she figured in one of the recently surfaced audio clips, talking to Bhanwari.

She also alleged that Gehlot had spoken to Maderna about the entire affair and advised him to ensure that the matter was tackled discreetly and hushed up. Consequently, Maderna met Bhanwari in a hotel in Jodhpur and tried to strike a deal. Indira claimed that when the deal failed, Bhanwari tried contacting several Congress leaders to pressurise Maderna.

Indira said several Congress leaders had indulged in blackmailing on the basis of the CD. She conceded that she was privy to the blackmailing attempts and had on several occasions advised Bhanwari against doing so.

She alleged that Bhanwari had met Congress's Pali MP Badri Jakhar to strike a deal. "I was with Bhanwari when she went to Jakhar's place. She went inside and later drove away," Indira said.

According to Indira, Bhanwari once rejected her suggestion to approach the Jodhpur SP in the matter.

Indira alleged that the CBI was trying to implicate her instead of focussing on Maderna, his wife Leela, Sahi Ram Vishnoi and Sohan Lal.

Sahi Ram is an accused in the case and is absconding. He was Maderna's deputy when the latter was zila pramukh of Jodhpur.

Sohan Lal is currently in judicial custody.

Besides Indira, the CBI also called suspended sub inspector Lakha Ram Choudhary, for interrogation on Thursday. Choudhary was posted in Borunda and was reportedly a close confidante of Bhanwari.