INDORE: A hut on banks of the Narmada river in Dewas district was abuzz with activity as onlookers keenly watched a team of policemen gazing at photographs in their hands and trying to match it with an elderly woman clad in saffron, on Friday.

Geeta Bai, who was fondly called 'Jiji' by pilgrims visiting the ashram, turned out to be Indira Bishnoi, an accused in the infamous Bhanwari Devi murder and carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh on her head. The news came as a shock to the ashram dwellers in Nemawar.

"We can't fathom the fact that Jiji is a murder accused. And that too in Bhanwari Devi case," said Dev Kumar Shastri, a prominent volunteer at the ashram.

Indira had been visiting the ashram once or twice in a month. She offered prayers, meditated and went on her way, without disturbing others, he said. "While in Nemawar, she stayed at a rented accommodation of one Rajkishore Parashar," Shastri said.

Indira had successfully evaded police for six years with meticulous planning. Her three-layered network of security and communication was quite sophisticated, said Rajasthan ATS officers.

"We have been tracking her movements and communication for last five months, but we are yet to fully decipher her messages," Rajasthan ATS SP Vikas Kumar told TOI.

While staying in Harda town, Indira had completely shunned technology and adopted a lifestyle that did not raise any eyebrows and also helped her stay clear of CBI's radar. "She, however, used to manage her business through coded messages," said Kumar.

Originally posted here:

Nemawer ashram inmates shocked on Indira's arrest - Times of India