Portraying the height of backward mindset and obnoxious beliefs, NBC’s Dateline: Justice For Sparkle has highlighted a murder mystery case that is sure to leave you in a whirlwind. Back in the early 2000s, an Indian professor-turned-hotelier, Chiman Rai was convicted of felony murder. The case reportedly stumbled through the dark corners of perception, insanity and camouflage until it finally knocked on the doors of truth and caught an inhumane mastermind. The federal officers have been put through a myriad of hurdles including the issue America has been tackling for centuries–the racial slur.
Though the crime occurred in 2000 and the investigation closed four years later, it is due to Dateline that the lawsuit is garnering attention now. Questions regarding Rai’s whereabouts are flourishing and everybody wants to get their hands on the latest scoop regarding Chiman’s lawsuit. So, if you, too, are one such curious mind, dive in to get the answers!
Where Is Chiman Rai Now?
An Indian native, Chiman went on to establish a polished image for himself in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a math tutor at Mississippi’s renowned education institution, Alcorn State University. For decades Chiman adorned the professor tag and flaunted it with grace. He then moved on to expand his capital and invest in a hotel business that bloomed wildly in Louisville, Kentucky. In the upcoming years, Chiman boasted his hotel franchise before eventually, involving his son, Ricky, into the business. Rai reportedly has one more child but the identities of his family members have been kept under tabs for security purposes.
However, given the crimes Rai is being convicted of, it is tough to conceal much. After being condemned for Sparkle Rai’s murder in 2008, Chiman has been assigned a life sentence and is being held captive in Atlanta after being charged with seven deadly crimes. Though Rai still pleads guilty and his defence denies his involvement in Sparkle’s murder, the pieces of evidence found against him narrate a contrasting tale.
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The Defense Denies Chiman Rai’s Involvement In Sparkle’s Murder
The official trial of Chiman Rai in the Atlanta Court commenced in June 2008 when he was alleged for felony murder of Sparkle Michelle Rai. The defence immediately jumped to point out that Chiman was a considerate professor who couldn’t even dream of committing such heinous crimes let alone commit them. Chiman’s friends and close family members were brought in to testify about his alleged generosity, compassion and non-bias mindset.
Moreover, the defence attorneys urged the court and the jurors to consider Chiman’s decades-long experience as a professor at a college with a maximum of black staff and students. They didn’t shy away from utilizing Rai’s religious and cultural beliefs as armour, pointing out that Rai was a devoted Punjabi with no intentions to sully his belief. However, as more friends and relatives filtered in, Chiman’s true belief was revealed. And the one to draw the curtains open is none other than Chiman’s son and Sparkle’s husband, Ricky Rai.
What Was Chiman Rai’s Beef With Sparkle Rai?
In 1990, Chiman appointed Ricky as the general manager of his hotel to help him expand the business. Sparkle, a few years older than Ricky and significantly opposite to him culture-wise, fell for her boss. The couple dated for a while and welcomed a baby girl in October 1999. They proceeded to tie the knot in March without the approval of Chiman. Ricky hid his little family from his father due to his racist personality. Eventually, Rai discovered the truth with the help of a private investigator and decided to take action.
Sparkle hailed from an African-American heritage. Due to her culture and colour, Chiman disliked her to the point of hatred. Rai was reportedly concerned for his other child whose marriage he was trying to arrange with an Indian Punjabi family. He believed that Sparkle and her heritage might interfere with his endeavour and approached a friend, Herbert Green. Later on, Herbert arranged a killer for hire, Cleveland Clark, to do Rai’s dirty work and Sparkle Rai was then bludgeoned to death. Herbert has testified against Rai in the trial.
Where Is Chiman Rai Now?–FAQs
He is an Indian-American professor-turned-hotelier-turned-murderer.
He hired Clark to slaughter his daughter-in-law.
Yes, he is convicted of felony murder.
Rai disapproved of her relationship with his son.
No, Ricky is yet to comment on Chiman murdering his ex-wife.
He is currently fulfilling his life sentence in a Georgian facility.
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