Burnt Ranjeeta's husband charged with murder
New Zealand, Jan 29, 2011
Devinder Joshi
Divesh Sharma. 29, flew to Fiji with his four-year-old son-Akasha day after his wife’s body was found fatally burning on the side of Huntly road last week. Police spokesperson from Fiji said, the suspect with his four-year-old son left for New Zealand on a flight at 11.30 am on Jan 28. He was accompanied by the New Zealand Police Officers. Sharma had not been arrested in Fiji and as he returned voluntarily, extradition never needed.
Today afternoon, Divesh Sharma appeared in the Hamilton District Court and charged with wife's murder. According to press release, he was very calm when he appeared before a Community Magistrate. He was remanded in custody until Tuesday for next appearance.
Greg Versalk, Child, Youth and Family Midlands Regional Director said, " There is no immediately family member available to look after 4 years old son but he is being well looked after by Child, Youth and Family foster parents.
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NRI
WOMAN BURNT TO DEATH IN NEW ZEALAND
Indian origin woman burned alive in New Zealand
Wellington, Jan 24 (DPA) New Zealand police alerted Interpol Monday to find the husband of an Indian-Fijian woman who they say was burned alive last week along a North Island roadside.
Police said the husband of Ranjeeta Sharma, 28, was believed to have flown to Fiji, where both came from, with their 4-year-old son Friday, the morning after her burning body was found by a passer-by on an isolated country road near Huntly.
They said her car had been found at Auckland airport.
Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall told reporters that Interpol had been alerted to find the woman's husband, whom he did not name.
"He is considered a person of considerable significance to the investigation, and we are working with Interpol to locate and speak to him," he said.
"We are also working with overseas authorities to establish the wellbeing of the young boy and ensure his safety."
Police said earlier that a post mortem indicated the woman, who worked at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital, was still alive when she was set alight with an accelerant.
The Waikato Times newspaper said police would not comment on whether the case was a "bride burning", or honour killing, but quoted Roy Vellara, president of the Waikato Indian Cultural Society, as saying the name Sharma was common in North India where most honour killings were performed......IANS/ NRIpress
