Indian woman's murder accused named

 
Wellington, June 10:

The name of the prime accused in the killing of an Indian woman in Tauranga city of New Zealand has been released, a media report said Thursday.

Deepak Nagpal, who appeared in a court Thursday in connection with the murder of Ravneet Sangha and her daughter Anna, is a packer, the New Zealand Herald reported.

The 23-year-old accused has been remanded in custody.

Dev Sangha, husband of Ravneet, said he believed money was the motive for the killing of his wife and daughter, the report said.

"I think there's only a money issue, because my wife had a large amount of money in her account," Dev said Wednesday.

The 32-year-old woman's body was discovered in a house in the suburb of Otumoetai Sunday, while the body of her daughter was found Monday.

Dev, 37, who was in India on a business trip at the time of the killings, formally identified the bodies Wednesday.

Family spokesman Daljit Singh, who accompanied Dev, said Ravneet had severe injuries to her neck and face. Anna also had serious injuries to her face and marks on one of her cheeks. After autopsies, their bodies were released to the family, the report said.

Meanwhile, senior police officer Mike Clement late Wednesday refused to comment on the suggestion of a money motive.

Ravneet worked as a packer at Seeka Kiwifruit Industries in Katikati, a town.

A funeral will be held in Tauranga Friday, before Ravneet and her daughter are cremated in accordance with Sikh customs.

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