'Person of interest' interviewed in burnt-woman case

Ranjeeta Sharma. Photo / Supplied

Police investigating the murder of South Auckland woman Ranjeeta Sharma have confirmed they have interviewed a "person of interest" in Fiji.

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.

Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall of the Hamilton CIB today said that though he couldn't be drawn on details of the interview, he could confirm New Zealand officers had spoken to the husband of Mrs Sharma.

"The man has not been arrested and no charges have been laid by our staff. We are currently evaluating the various options available to us.

"Our investigation has been benefiting from the full support of not only the Fijian Police but that of other agencies both over there and back here in New Zealand," said Mr Keall.

A Fijian police spokesman this afternoon denied reports Fiji police had told media Mr Sharma confessed to his wife's murder.

He said all statements on the case would come from New Zealand police.

"We are currently working with them and assisting them with the case. Any releases to be done on this case will be done by New Zealand police," said Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri.

Mr Keall said officers were still talking to "a variety of parties" in relation to the ongoing care of the couple's four-year-old son Akash.

"This remains a key focus our staff working in Fiji."

He said investigation was continuing around the Waikato and Counties Manukau regions as well as in Fiji.

Meannwhile, the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation says a close family member has confirmed Ranjeeta Sharma will be cremated at Wailoaloa Cemetery in Nadi at 1pm tomorrow.

- NZ Herald staff, Newstalk ZB