A former government school teacher in Rajasthan's Barmer district has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his mother, wife, and two daughters nine years ago. The chilling case, which sent shockwaves through the local community, reached its legal conclusion on Monday with the court also imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the convict.
Court Delivers Verdict After Nine-Year Legal Battle
District and Sessions Judge Ajitabh Acharya pronounced the life sentence for Ranaram, who was 44 years old at the time of the horrific crime. The prosecution, led by lawyer Damodar Kumar Chaudhary, built a strong case by presenting 19 witnesses, 79 documents, and 18 material articles as evidence before the court. The legal process meticulously reconstructed the events of that fateful night.
The Night of Horror and a Shocking Confession
The murders occurred on the night of October 20, 2016, in Ranasar Kalan village. Ranaram took the lives of four family members:
- His 70-year-old mother, Parvati
- His 40-year-old wife, Lali Devi
- His two daughters: Devi (14) and Santosh (12)
In a disturbing revelation during the trial, it emerged that Ranaram's initial intent was to kill only his wife. However, he proceeded to eliminate his entire family, driven by a twisted thought about who would care for the others if his wife was gone. After committing the acts, he spent the entire night sitting among the bodies of his victims.
In the morning, he traveled 15 kilometers to the Dhorimanna police station. Upon arrival, he calmly stated, "I have committed four murders, arrest me." Prosecution lawyer Chaudhary recounted that the police were initially unable to believe his claim. Their skepticism vanished when they noticed blood stains on his clothing.
Police Discovery and Judicial Outcome
When police officers accompanied him to his home in Ranasar Kalan, they were met with a gruesome and heartbreaking scene: the blood-soaked bodies of the four family members. The visual evidence corroborated his stark confession.
After nearly a decade of judicial proceedings, the court found Ranaram guilty on all counts. The sentence of life imprisonment reflects the gravity of the crime. The additional fine of Rs 1 lakh was also imposed as part of the punishment. The case stands as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of such violent acts, leaving a permanent scar on the community and the Indian judicial system's records of family-related crimes.
