The only relationship that is firmly documented in the public domain is her marriage to Mohan Singh and her role as a mother. All other alleged romantic ties are either unverified rumors or have been dismissed in legal proceedings.
This relationship exposes the double standard of the village. While Maderna visits courtesans, Bhanwari is stoned for holding hands. The tragedy of Bhanwari and Tejaji is that their love is pure in intent but fatal in execution. It usually ends in one of two ways: Tejaji takes a bullet for her (dying a martyr for love), or Bhanwari poisons herself to save his family from honor killing. The only relationship that is firmly documented in
The case gained national notoriety when reports surfaced of a "sex CD" featuring Bhanwari Devi and Mahipal Maderna, who was then the Water Resources Minister of Rajasthan. Investigations suggested that Bhanwari Devi was allegedly using the video to blackmail Maderna and other political figures for money and professional favors. While Maderna visits courtesans, Bhanwari is stoned for