Burnt-alive woman: police to interview husband

Ranjeeta Sharma. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand detectives have arrived in Fiji to speak to the husband of an Auckland woman burnt to death last week, but police here are refusing to reveal whether the man has been interviewed.

They have also revealed that the couple's 4-year-old son may not return, despite being a New Zealand citizen.

Twenty-eight-year-old Ranjeeta Sharma was found on fire near the township of Rotowaro, 10km west of Huntly last Thursday.

On Tuesday, police confirmed they had tracked down her husband Diwesh Kumar Sharma at a home in the Rakiraki District, west of the Fijian capital, Suva.

He had left New Zealand with their son on Friday - one day after Mrs Sharma was killed - and arrived at a house owned by his family on Monday night.

A neighbour told Campbell Live that Mr Sharma turned up on his doorstep on Monday night.

"He is a very nice boy, he seemed relaxed, happy," he said.

Mr Sharma sat and drank kava with the man's son until police turned up about midnight. They asked why he was there and to see his passport before taking him to the Rakiraki police station.

It is understood Mr Sharma has since been moved to Suva.

"I am very shocked," the neighbour said, adding that Mr Sharma's demeanour did not change when police showed up.

At a press conference yesterday, Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall said that one of the tasks for officers in Fiji was to "assess" the child's situation.

When asked if he would be brought back to Auckland or stay with relatives in Fiji, Mr Keall said: "What we will be endeavouring to do is establish what is in the best interests of the child, both immediately and his ongoing care and protection."

Relatives of Mrs Sharma in Nadi told Campbell Live they were trying to get custody of the boy, but did not know where he was. They were also preparing for Mrs Sharma's funeral and said she would be cremated tomorrow.

Mr Keall confirmed detectives from Waikato had arrived in Fiji, but he refused to give any details of how many officers had been sent or their activities.

Fijian newspapers have reported that Mr Sharma was "under arrest". However, Mr Keall said no arrest had been made, nor had any charges been laid in relation to Mrs Sharma's death.

The Fijian Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said authorities would expedite any extradition application requested by New Zealand police.