Ram Lal Jat

Jaipur, Nov. 12: A Rajasthan minister resigned today following allegations of involvement with a woman who died under mysterious circumstances.

Forest and environment minister Ram Lal Jat is the second Jat minister to be embroiled in a controversy after Mahipal Maderna was sacked last month following his involvement in the disappearance of a Dalit nurse.

However, there was no confirmation on whether chief minister Ashok Gehlot’s Office had accepted the 46-year-old minister’s resignation.

The woman, Paras Devi, wife of one Ratan Lal Jat, said to be close to the minister, died on September 27 in Bhilwara, around 251km from Jaipur, under mysterious circumstances. Her body was shifted to Gulabpura some distance away without a post-mortem being conducted but later brought back to Bhilwara to a hospital, where the minister was said to be present at that time.

The same night, a post-mortem was done and the last rites were conducted hurriedly.

Paras Devi’s father Rameshwar Lal Jat is alleging the minister’s involvement in her death and an attempt to hush up the matter.

Ram Lal Jat has denied the allegation and says he is ready to face any kind of probe. The state government has decided to investigate the death.

The woman’s husband, who was made chairperson of Bhilwara Dairy by Ram Lal Jat, has not said anything against the minister.

Maderna suspended

Maderna was today suspended from the primary membership of the Congress for his role in the disappearance of Bhanwari Devi.

State Congress president Chandrabhan took the decision after reviewing the growing resentment against the minister in the party. The move is said to have the tacit support of chief minister Ashok Gehlot.