Fiji Sun

Alleged Labasa murder suspect in custody, neighbour and son traumatise­d

- SHRATIKA NAIDU LABASA Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj

Ravin Deo, a resident of Qeledamu, Labasa, is deeply disturbed by the memories of an alleged murder that occurred in the Qeledamu Settlement on Saturday night.

The incident involved Shalendra Kumar, a 48-year-old farmer from Wainikoro, who allegedly murdered his wife, Nazmin Nisha, in their home at around 10 pm. Mr Kumar is currently in police custody. Police said the suspect allegedly attacked his wife with a cane knife, causing severe injuries that led to her death.

The exact details surroundin­g the incident remain unclear as police investigat­ions are ongoing. Mr Deo, who is the suspect’s cousin, received a phone call from him on Saturday night, confessing to what he had done to his wife and urging him (Mr Deo) to alert the police.

Mr Deo’s house is located approximat­ely 10 minutes away from the scene of the alleged murder.

“That night I didn’t have credit on my phone, so I ran to a neighbour’s house to call the Police. They arrived shortly and took me to my cousin’s house,” Mr Deo said.

“When we arrived, I saw my sister-in-law (Nisha) lying motionless on the verandah.”

Mr Deo described it as the most horrifying scene he had ever witnessed. According to him, one of the victim’s sons was asleep in the bedroom during the incident.

Victim’s mother shares

Jiabul Nisha, the victim’s mother from Valebasoga said she received a call from her daughter at around 7pm on the day of the alleged murder.

Little did she know that it would be their final conversati­on.

The 63-year-old said her daughter was the second eldest of four children and was currently unemployed.

“What worries me more is

that her youngest son, who was among the first to see her dead body, would never see her again.”

 ?? Naidu Photo: Shratika Naidu ?? Police officers guarding the house where the alleged murder happened in Qeledamu Settlement, Labasa.
INSET: Aryan Kumar (left) with Ravin Deo in Qeledamu, Labasa on May 20, 2023. Photo: Shratika
The late Nazmin Nisha.
Naidu Photo: Shratika Naidu Police officers guarding the house where the alleged murder happened in Qeledamu Settlement, Labasa. INSET: Aryan Kumar (left) with Ravin Deo in Qeledamu, Labasa on May 20, 2023. Photo: Shratika The late Nazmin Nisha.

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