Fiji-Born Hindu Priest in Sacramento Arrested for Allegedly Killing His Lover’s Husband
The Sacramento, California Indo-Fijian community is buzzing about the arrest of Hindu priest Raghua Sharma, who was allegedly involved in killing his lover’s husband. Ashok Kumar, 60, a resident of Sacramento, was found dead around 11.22pm on August 12, at a home in the 8000 block of Grandstaff Drive, when Police responded to a call reporting a burglary in progress. The Sacramento Bee reported that when the police arrived they found a woman outside the home and a man unresponsive on the floor inside the home. The Sacramento Fire Department arrived and pronounced the man dead.
Police said at the time the woman, who was the victim’s wife, told officers that she did not get a good look at the intruder, but investigators did not believe it was a random incident.
The investigators continued the search for suspects, and a month later arrested Kumar’s wife, Rohini Kumar, 53; Tiwan Greenwade, 37; and Vicky Rainone, 47. Following a detailed investigation, the Fiji-born Sharma, 58, was arrested on October 20.
Police have not released a motive for the murder, but members of the Hindu American community said Kumar’s wife Rohini was having an affair with Sharma. “He had a relationship with that woman, people were talking about it in the community,” Sunil Prakash told Fox 40 News. “People, they think he was a priest and he was doing these wrong things, you know. What will he teach us?” Pandit Girwar Maharaj told the news station that the victim had a life insurance policy, and his wife and Sharma were trying to get the money to return to their native place in Fiji. “Everybody’s talking about it. Oh man, disgrace for the priest,” said Maharaj.
“A priest will not consider even killing an ant. So what to talk about killing a human being?”
Along with priestly activities, Sharma also headed a security company called All Seasonal Security Services, with offices in Sacramento, Sunnyvale and Fiji. The All Seasonal Security Services’ Web site lists Sharma as its CEO, and describes him as a man with previous experience in the security business. The company, which was established in Sacramento in 2008, also notes his 14year experience in the Fiji police force, and his sixyear experience in the judicial department in Fiji. Sharma apparently put on a good priest garb everywhere, including his Facebook page. He blessed homes, married couples and reportedly helped with the funeral of his alleged victim, according to the report.
Although the investigation surrounding the circumstances is still ongoing, detectives believe that there are no outstanding suspects. The case has been handed over to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office for review.