‘Throats slit, bodies set on fire’: Shocking details emerge in ex-sarpanch family's murder by first wife in Rajasthan

The former sarpanch's first wife and her children have been arrested in connection with the alleged murders stemming from a long-standing family conflict.

Updated on: May 29, 2026, 17:07:50 IST

Reported by Abhijeet Dave | Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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Four members of a family, including a former sarpanch, were allegedly murdered by his first wife and her teenage son and daughter, after which their bodies were set on fire inside an SUV in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, police said on Thursday.

Police said they received information around 5.30 am about a Scorpio vehicle that had caught fire with several people trapped inside. (PTI)

The incident took place at Shri Rampura village under the Borada police station area in the early hours of Thursday.

Charred bodies inside SUV

Police said they received information around 5.30 am about a Scorpio vehicle that had caught fire with several people trapped inside. On reaching the spot, officials found three charred bodies inside the SUV, while another woman was discovered in a semi-burnt condition in a nearby field. She later died during treatment.

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The deceased were identified as former sarpanch Ram Singh Choudhary (45), his mother and former sarpanch Pusi Devi (85), his second wife Surgyan Devi (40), and niece Mahima.

Bodies allegedly moved before vehicle was set ablaze

Police alleged that the accused slit the throats of all four victims inside the house using a sharp-edged agricultural weapon.

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Ajmer superintendent of police Harshvardhan Agrawala said, “Ram Singh’s first wife, 40-year-old Sunita, has been arrested, while her 16-year-old son and 19-year-old daughter have been taken into custody for their alleged role in the killings."

Police alleged that diesel was siphoned from a tractor before the Scorpio SUV was driven nearly 500 metres away from the house and set on fire in an attempt to make the deaths appear like a road accident.

Investigation points to long-standing family dispute

Police said Ram Singh had married Sunita in 2004 and later married Surgyan Devi in 2019. Investigators believe tensions within the family increased after the second marriage.

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“Preliminary investigation revealed that Ram Singh allegedly subjected his first wife and children to physical and mental harassment for years. He had assaulted them again on Wednesday night, after which the accused allegedly planned the murders,” the SP added.

Investigators said suspicion grew after the accused allegedly gave contradictory statements and their behaviour appeared unusual after the incident. According to police, Sunita was allegedly pretending to cry, while her son was seen calmly drinking tea and none of them initially approached the crime scene.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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