Four more arrested in murder of retired IPS officer’s wife

Hyderabad police arrested four more suspects, including a former domestic worker, in the May murder and robbery of retired IPS officer Ray Vinay Ranjan’s wife, Tanuja. Police said the investigation involved searches across several States and technical surveillance.

Hyderabad: Four individuals, including a woman, allegedly involved in the murder of a retired IPS officer’s wife and robbery of valuables from her house in Jubilee Hills in May, have been arrested by Hyderabad police on Monday.

They were identified as Dharma Tiruwa alias Kalpana (26), a former domestic worker at the victim’s house, Ganesh B K (31), Chandra Bahadur Tamang (44) and Ganesh Bahadur Shahi (37). All four are natives of Nepal.

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Tanuja Ranjan, wife of retired IPS officer Ray Vinay Ranjan, was found dead in her bedroom at Prashasan Nagar on May 8. Her hands were tied, and a cloth had been stuffed into her mouth. The house had been ransacked, with 225 grams of gold jewellery and other valuables missing.

The police said Dharma allegedly shared information about the household’s valuables with the gang and facilitated the entry of its members when the victim’s family was away. The gang members allegedly restrained and smothered the woman before fleeing with the property. They later divided the stolen property and escaped to Nepal.

A prime suspect, Sunil Bahadur Aauji alias Sunil Pariyar, and an alleged receiver of stolen property, Dilip Bahadur Mijar alias Sonar, were arrested in May. Police recovered 26 grams of stolen property from them. Two other suspects remain absconding.

Hyderabad City Police Commissioner, VC Sajjanar, said the SIT, formed on May 19, conducted searches across several States and tracked the suspects through technical surveillance and local informers. The latest operation also led to the execution of five pending non-bailable warrants against other absconding Nepali nationals and the arrest of another alleged habitual property offender linked to eight cases.

Police seized Rs 51,130 in cash and other material from the four arrested persons. They urged residents to verify the identity and employment history of domestic workers and other household staff.