A man from Chhattisgarh, identified as Dhula Ram, has been arrested for the murder of his tenth wife, Basanti Bai. He allegedly killed her brutally out of suspicion of theft and fear of abandonment. The body was found five days later, dumped in a forest.
The decomposed body was discovered in a forest in Jashpur district. Dhula Ram (38) from Sulesha village is accused of beating his wife to death after a heated argument. The incident was reportedly driven by jealousy, anger, and a troubling personal history.
Ram accused Basanti Bai of stealing rice, cooking oil, and clothes during a recent wedding they had attended, which led to a dispute. However, authorities believe there might have been other underlying reasons for the murder. Fears of abandonment and mental stress caused by multiple failed marriages may have contributed to the crime. Ram had been married nine times before, with each wife leaving him due to his violent and abusive behaviour.
The incident came to light five days later when villagers noticed a foul odor and, upon investigating the forest, found the body partially covered. The body was identified as that of Basanti Bai (35).
Based on initial evidence, witness reports, and local information, the police arrested Dhula Ram. During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to the crime, stating that he killed his wife in a fit of rage and tried to hide the body afterwards.
The police revealed that Ram's previous marriages ended due to domestic violence, cruelty, and abuse, although no criminal charges had been filed against him at the time. The police are now investigating whether any undisclosed crimes were committed during his previous marriages.