Rajasthan horror: Ex Sarpanch, his second wife and 2 others killed, set on fire in car on highway near Ajmer; 3 detained | Today’s news
The shocking incident came to light on Thursday from Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, where a 45-year-old former village sarpanch and three members of his family were allegedly murdered and set on fire in a car, police said.
The incident took place in Shrirampura village, about 60 km from Ajmer city, where a Mahindra Scorpio SUV was found on fire on the highway, nearly 500 meters from the victims’ home, according to PTI.
The deceased was identified as Ram Singh Choudhary, a former sarpanch, along with his mother Poosi Devi, his second wife Suryagyan Devi and his niece Mahima Chaudhary.
Police said they have detained three family members, Ram Singh’s first wife Sunita, his daughter Sarita and his 17-year-old son in connection with the case, as investigations continue.
Ram Singh lived in the same house with both his wives and their cohabitation often led to disputes, police said.
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Three charred bodies were pulled from the burnt car on Thursday, while a fourth body was found in a nearby field, officials added.
What did the police say?
Superintendent of Police Harsh Vardhan Agarwala said the case initially appeared to be an accidental fire, but preliminary investigations indicated it was a case of murder.
When the police reached Ram Singh’s residence, his first wife reportedly said that he had gone to the hospital with his mother who was experiencing chest pain.
“Ram Singh had two wives and there was a dispute in the family over this matter. Our investigation revealed that the first wife and her children had a fight with Ram Singh and his mother,” the SP said.
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Police suspect that Ram Singh’s first wife and her children allegedly killed the four victims late Wednesday night, placed the bodies in an SUV, drove it to the highway and set it on fire.
Another official said the accused claimed during interrogation that Sunita was subjected to regular harassment and that Ram Singh often had arguments with her.
“After the bodies were recovered, the locals shared various posts about the domestic violence and frequent arguments that took place between Ram Singh and Sunita,” the officer said.
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Police said an argument broke out in the family late last night during which Ram Singh was allegedly attacked with a sharp-edged weapon. When his mother and other relatives tried to intervene, they were also attacked.
“The accused put the bodies in a vehicle and took them to the highway, almost 500 meters from the house, and set them on fire with diesel,” the police officer noted.
Property dispute leaves six dead in Karnataka village
In other news, an alleged property dispute turned deadly in the neighborhood on Friday, leaving six dead, including five members of the same family, police said. The incident took place at Govindapura village in Chadachana taluk between 2 pm and 2.30 pm, officials added.
Police confirmed that the five victims were from the same family and two were injured in the incident.