Jharkhand Crime: Three Convicted in 2021 Ranchi Gangrape and Murder Case

Jharkhand Crime: A Ranchi court has sentenced three men to life imprisonment till their last breath for the brutal gangrape and murder of a woman in 2021. The court of Additional Sessions Judge Amit Shekhar also imposed a fine of ₹60,000 each on the convicts, directing that the amount be given to the victim’s children.

What Happened in the 2021 Ranchi Crime?

According to the police investigation, the victim, Kausalya Devi, had gone to a bank in Bundu to withdraw money but was unable to do so. She then contacted her former acquaintances, Lakshman Munda and Sukhlal Munda, to borrow ₹2,000.

Lakshman tricked her by saying that the money was at his home and she needed to come along.
The woman was taken to a deserted forest in Kolaburu village under Dasham Falls police station area, where Lakshman, Sukhlal, and two others, Ram Munda and Sanjay Tuti, were present.
The four accused gangraped her in the forest.
Fearing getting caught, they slit her throat, threw her body in a pit, and burned it using petrol from their motorcycle to destroy evidence.

Victim’s Burnt Body Found in Ranchi Forest

On February 20, 2021, locals discovered a charred body in the Hesapidhi Kolaburu forest, around 30 km from Ranchi. Following the SIT investigation, the woman was identified as Kausalya Devi.

Court Verdict: Life Imprisonment for Three Convicts

After an extensive investigation, the Dasham Falls police arrested three accused, while the fourth accused, Lakshman Munda, died during the trial. On February 7, 2024, the court found Ramchandra Munda, Sukhlal Munda, and Sanjay Tuti guilty under charges of gangrape, murder, and evidence tampering.

Sentence: Life imprisonment till their last breath.
Fine: ₹60,000 each, to be paid to the victim’s children.
Victim Compensation: The court directed DALSA (District Legal Services Authority) to provide victim compensation to the victim’s family.

Prosecution Demanded Death Penalty

Public prosecutor Siddharth Singh argued for the harshest punishment due to the brutal nature of the crime. However, the court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.

Conclusion

The 2021 Ranchi gangrape and murder case shook Jharkhand, and after four years of legal proceedings, justice has been served. The court’s verdict ensures that the convicts will remain in prison for life, providing a sense of closure to the victim’s family.