Family raises domestic violence concerns
The family of a murdered Auckland woman feel the case of their beloved niece, daughter and aunt will draw attention to serious domestic violence issues in the society and in New Zealand.
Twenty-eight-year-old Ranjeeta Sharma (“Ranju” to her loved ones), was brutally killed when her husband Diwesh Sharma beat her and poured accelerant over her before setting fire while she was still alive on January 20 last year.
The couple’s four-year-old son watched as this took place on a remote road in Waikato, about 10km from Huntly.
Diwesh was in April jailed for 14-and-a-half years (non-parole) by the High Court in Hamilton for the grisly murder of his wife.
This week, Ranjeeta’s family told Indian Weekender of how they tried to get her away from the abusive husband.
“When details of her case were first released, this issue (domestic violence) was completely ignored, and instead, a story was made up about a culturally motivated reason for her murder – one that was completely false and distracted from the real issue at hand, one that is a New Zealand issue,” Ranjeeta’s cousin Janice Sharan said.
“We hope that Ranju’s death will draw attention to the serious domestic violence issues in our country.
“We sincerely hope that any woman, or man, in a domestic violence situation will seek help immediately so that no one else has to suffer the tragic fate of Ranju and that no other family has to go through the pain and torment of having lost a loved one in such a brutal way,” Janice said.
Ranjeeta’s aunt, Jyoti Sharan, said the case was not of “honour killing” but of an abusive and controlling man.
Mrs Sharan said Ranjeeta often came to stay with them at their Mt Roskill home when Diwesh got abusive towards her.
“Once she stayed with us for eight months, and we tried to help by getting her away from the abusive relationship.
“But she always used to say that she ‘has taken the seven sacred steps’ (traditional wedding ritual) in marriage and that it was not easy for her to break that the bond,” Mrs Sharan, who is Ranjeeta’s mum’s sister, told the Indian Weekender.
Re-living the trauma of coping with their loss, Mrs Sharan, who is the only family member to have viewed Ranjeeta’s burned corpse, said the incident was one she would never forget. The extent of injuries suffered by Ranjeeta meant the casket could not be opened for family members to view.
“The night I found out about Ranju’s death will replay in my head for the rest of my life.
“It was about 1.30am on January 23 that my brother called from Fiji.
“I couldn’t believe him. I had to call New Zealand police for confirmation,” Mrs Sharan said.
“Even then we couldn’t believe the way it happened. The way he killed her is beyond belief.”
Mrs Sharan said she believed the couple’s relation probably would not have become abusive if Diwesh’s parents had supported Ranjeeta. She believed his parents were aware of abuse but did nothing to intervene and end it.
Instead, they were more concerned about taking the couple’s son away with them, Mrs Sharan said.
The little boy, now aged six, has permanent name suppression and is in the care of Child Youth and Family.
Mrs Sharan said the boy came into her care shortly after Ranjeeta’s funeral.
“When he came first came to us he wanted to talk about his mummy all the time.
“I worry deeply about how he will be haunted by his father’s actions. He has lost both his parents thanks to Diwesh.”
Mrs Sharan said she housed and took care of Ranjeeta so many times when there was tension between the couple, but “Diwesh kept coming back for her”.
“My advice to other women in similar situations is to get out of it, seek help, and family support is also vital.”
In a court report, Detective Inspector Chris Page said the investigation highlighted that “regardless of ethnicity, wealth, culture or poverty – domestic violence is present across all these and has far-reaching effects”.
In New Zealand, there are several organizations looking out for women who have suffered abuse at the hands of their partners – the most prominent being Women's Refuge.
“Domestic violence is a major human rights issue across the world, and one of New Zealand’s most serious social issues,” says the Women’s Refuge website www.womensrefuge.org.nz
“Domestic violence is a pervasive, life-threatening crime that impacts on thousands of New Zealanders with serious physical, psychological and economic effects.
“Crime and injury statistics show how significant a problem domestic violence is in our country. It is one of the leading causes of injury and death to women, and also leads to short and long-term health problems such as mental illness, and problems with sexual and reproductive health.”
Between 33 and 39 per cent of New Zealand women experience physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to a study by Janet Fanslow and Elizabeth Robinson.
Dr Fanslow said the most worrying aspect was that intimate partner violence, even if it occurred in the past, was significantly associated with present physical and mental health problems including depression, sleep problems and suicide attempts.
“If you are living in fear in your relationship or in your family, or know someone who is, there are so many ways we can help you right now,” says the organization.
Women’s Refuge can be contacted 24 hours a day on 0800 733 843.
Ethnic women’s organization Shakti Asian Women’s Centre can also be contacted for help on 0800 742 584.
The family of a murdered Auckland woman feel the case of their beloved niece, daughter and aunt will draw attention to serious domestic violence issues in the society and in New Zealand. Twenty-eight-year-old Ranjeeta Sharma (“Ranju” to her loved ones), was brutally killed when her husband Diwesh...
The family of a murdered Auckland woman feel the case of their beloved niece, daughter and aunt will draw attention to serious domestic violence issues in the society and in New Zealand.
Twenty-eight-year-old Ranjeeta Sharma (“Ranju” to her loved ones), was brutally killed when her husband Diwesh Sharma beat her and poured accelerant over her before setting fire while she was still alive on January 20 last year.
The couple’s four-year-old son watched as this took place on a remote road in Waikato, about 10km from Huntly.
Diwesh was in April jailed for 14-and-a-half years (non-parole) by the High Court in Hamilton for the grisly murder of his wife.
This week, Ranjeeta’s family told Indian Weekender of how they tried to get her away from the abusive husband.
“When details of her case were first released, this issue (domestic violence) was completely ignored, and instead, a story was made up about a culturally motivated reason for her murder – one that was completely false and distracted from the real issue at hand, one that is a New Zealand issue,” Ranjeeta’s cousin Janice Sharan said.
“We hope that Ranju’s death will draw attention to the serious domestic violence issues in our country.
“We sincerely hope that any woman, or man, in a domestic violence situation will seek help immediately so that no one else has to suffer the tragic fate of Ranju and that no other family has to go through the pain and torment of having lost a loved one in such a brutal way,” Janice said.
Ranjeeta’s aunt, Jyoti Sharan, said the case was not of “honour killing” but of an abusive and controlling man.
Mrs Sharan said Ranjeeta often came to stay with them at their Mt Roskill home when Diwesh got abusive towards her.
“Once she stayed with us for eight months, and we tried to help by getting her away from the abusive relationship.
“But she always used to say that she ‘has taken the seven sacred steps’ (traditional wedding ritual) in marriage and that it was not easy for her to break that the bond,” Mrs Sharan, who is Ranjeeta’s mum’s sister, told the Indian Weekender.
Re-living the trauma of coping with their loss, Mrs Sharan, who is the only family member to have viewed Ranjeeta’s burned corpse, said the incident was one she would never forget. The extent of injuries suffered by Ranjeeta meant the casket could not be opened for family members to view.
“The night I found out about Ranju’s death will replay in my head for the rest of my life.
“It was about 1.30am on January 23 that my brother called from Fiji.
“I couldn’t believe him. I had to call New Zealand police for confirmation,” Mrs Sharan said.
“Even then we couldn’t believe the way it happened. The way he killed her is beyond belief.”
Mrs Sharan said she believed the couple’s relation probably would not have become abusive if Diwesh’s parents had supported Ranjeeta. She believed his parents were aware of abuse but did nothing to intervene and end it.
Instead, they were more concerned about taking the couple’s son away with them, Mrs Sharan said.
The little boy, now aged six, has permanent name suppression and is in the care of Child Youth and Family.
Mrs Sharan said the boy came into her care shortly after Ranjeeta’s funeral.
“When he came first came to us he wanted to talk about his mummy all the time.
“I worry deeply about how he will be haunted by his father’s actions. He has lost both his parents thanks to Diwesh.”
Mrs Sharan said she housed and took care of Ranjeeta so many times when there was tension between the couple, but “Diwesh kept coming back for her”.
“My advice to other women in similar situations is to get out of it, seek help, and family support is also vital.”
In a court report, Detective Inspector Chris Page said the investigation highlighted that “regardless of ethnicity, wealth, culture or poverty – domestic violence is present across all these and has far-reaching effects”.
In New Zealand, there are several organizations looking out for women who have suffered abuse at the hands of their partners – the most prominent being Women's Refuge.
“Domestic violence is a major human rights issue across the world, and one of New Zealand’s most serious social issues,” says the Women’s Refuge website www.womensrefuge.org.nz
“Domestic violence is a pervasive, life-threatening crime that impacts on thousands of New Zealanders with serious physical, psychological and economic effects.
“Crime and injury statistics show how significant a problem domestic violence is in our country. It is one of the leading causes of injury and death to women, and also leads to short and long-term health problems such as mental illness, and problems with sexual and reproductive health.”
Between 33 and 39 per cent of New Zealand women experience physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to a study by Janet Fanslow and Elizabeth Robinson.
Dr Fanslow said the most worrying aspect was that intimate partner violence, even if it occurred in the past, was significantly associated with present physical and mental health problems including depression, sleep problems and suicide attempts.
“If you are living in fear in your relationship or in your family, or know someone who is, there are so many ways we can help you right now,” says the organization.
Women’s Refuge can be contacted 24 hours a day on 0800 733 843.
Ethnic women’s organization Shakti Asian Women’s Centre can also be contacted for help on 0800 742 584.
Leave a Comment