Four Nepal Nationals Arrested in Retired IPS Officer’s Wife Murder Case

Hyderabad police have arrested four Nepalese nationals, including a woman, in connection with the murder of Tanuja Ranjan, wife of retired IPS officer Vinay Ranjan. City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said special investigation teams had spent more than five months tracking the suspects across several states and along the India-Nepal border.

The murder occurred during the intervening night of May 7 and 8 at Prashasan Nagar, under the Jubilee Hills police station limits. Tanuja was found dead in her bedroom by her daughter, with her hands tied and a cloth stuffed into her mouth. Police discovered that cupboards had been broken open and valuables stolen. The family’s domestic worker, Dharma Tiruwa alias Kalpana, went missing after the incident, raising suspicion over her role in the crime.

Acting on credible information, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) detained four suspects near Nampally railway station on Monday. The arrested individuals were identified as Dharma, Ganesh B.K., Chandra Bahadur Tamang and Ganesh Bahadur Shahi. According to Sajjanar, the accused had worked as caretakers, labourers, cooks and watchmen. Police seized ₹51,130 in cash and other evidence linked to the case.

Police said Dharma had secured the caretaker’s job in Hyderabad through a relative. She was acquainted with Vikas, a Nepalese national living in Pune, and reportedly came into contact with other gang members during a visit to see her ailing father in April.

On May 7, Ganesh and other suspects allegedly surveyed the house and discussed how to gain entry. During the night, Dharma reportedly opened the door for them. When Tanuja woke up, one accused allegedly covered her mouth and attacked her, while Ganesh tied her hands and legs. She died of suffocation, according to investigators. The gang allegedly escaped through the rear entrance with approximately 225 grams of gold jewellery and other valuables.

Investigating teams searched locations in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Patna, Delhi, Lucknow and Uttarakhand, besides conducting inquiries along the India-Nepal border. Police said the stolen valuables were allegedly sold in different parts of Nepal.

On May 22, task force personnel arrested Sunil Bahadur Auji, another prime suspect, and Dilip Bahadur Mizar, who allegedly received stolen property. Police recovered 26 grams of stolen jewellery from them.

Investigators also found that the gang had allegedly planned similar crimes in Bengaluru and Delhi. Efforts are continuing to trace the remaining suspects.