Spotlighted : March 2005
Capture:
Authorities,after learning of Devi's massacre in Behmai of 22+ men,they took Devi's parents hostage.It took
nearly a year of negotiations for Devi to surrender,but authorities had to agree to her demands:
1.She and her gang would not tried in Uttar Pradesh(which is where Behmai is located)
2.She and her gang would be tried for all the murders in one trial
3.She and her gang would not be handcuffed at the surrender
4.If she and her gang were to be convicted of the murders,they would not be hanged
5.She and her gang,if convicted,would not spend more then 8 years in prison
6.If they were to go to prison,the prison would be 'A-Class'
7.Portraits of Durga and Ghandi would be displayed at their surrender
8.Authorities would have to force her cousin to return the land he had taken from her father
9.Her parents would be placed on government-funded land
10.Her younger brother would be given a job in India's Parliment
Authorities agreed to the demands,and Devi surrendered-along with her gang-on February 12,1983
Aftershock:
Authorities did not hold up their end of the deal;Devi and her gang went to prison for 11 years,without
ever going to trial.While Devi was incarcerated,she recieved a letter from Ram's brother(Lala Ram),where he stated he had
killed Sri over a dispute of a woman.(Most believe it was Sri whom caused the wrath upon Behmai).Not too long afterwards,a
politican from the United States took up Devi's case and she was released from prison on February 18,1994.After Devi was released,she
ran for office in India's Parliment-vowing to be a speaker of women's rights and lower class rights.In May of 1996,she won
the election,but on July 25,2001-three "assassins" shot and killed Devi outside her home.The leader of the men,Sher Singh
Rana,stated that her murder was vegence for the massacre of Behmai,but most believe that Rana was connected with Devi's husband
and was hired by him due-to Devi threatening to take him out of her will.
