Nepalese Maid Arrested in Pune for Murder of Ex-IPS Officer's Wife in Hyderabad

On Monday, May 11, police arrested a Nepalese maid named Kalpana in Pune for allegedly killing Tanuja Ranjan Ray, the wife of former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Vinay Ranjay Ray. Kalpana, along with two accomplices, had reportedly held Tanuja captive during a robbery at the family’s residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. The suspects stole gold and cash before fleeing the scene.

According to authorities, the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on May 8. During the robbery, Kalpana and her accomplices tied Tanuja’s hands and placed a cloth in her mouth, causing her to suffocate. At the time of the crime, Vinay was out of town, and Kalpana was staying alone on the first floor of the IPS quarters where the family lived. The couple’s children were also present in the house during the incident.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar confirmed that Kalpana had been hired eight months earlier to care for Vinay’s mother. He stated that she exploited her employer’s absence to carry out the theft with her accomplices, who remain at large. Following the arrest, Sajjanar issued a public warning urging caution when hiring Nepalese individuals as domestic help, a remark that has drawn attention due to its broad generalization.