HYDERABAD: A real estate businessman allegedly shot dead his second wife at his residence in Malkajgiri in the early hours of Wednesday, months after police had arrested him while he was allegedly plotting to kill her with an illegal firearm.D Arun Kumar (48), a resident of Maruti Nagar in Malkajgiri, was arrested earlier this year in a separate arms case.Police said he had allegedly procured a country-made pistol from Munger in Bihar and was planning to use it to kill his wife, Nishita Rani alias Nisha Rani.Arun has two children with his first wife. According to police, he later separated from her due to her prolonged ill health and married her sister, Rani, around five years ago.However, marital tensions developed between the couple after Arun began suspecting Rani’s fidelity. Following frequent disputes, the couple started living separately.Police said Arun allegedly decided to eliminate Rani and obtained a firearm through his contacts. On March 9, 2026, Charminar Task Force personnel, along with Amberpet police, arrested Arun and two associates — Mohammed Abbu (26), a pan shop owner from Yapral, and Mir Muzammil Ali Khan (23), a student from Yakutpura — at Ali Cafe X Roads in Amberpet.A country-made pistol, six live rounds and a two-wheeler were seized from their possession.“We produced the accused before the court and they were remanded to judicial custody. Arun spent more than 40 days in jail,” Amberpet inspector T Kiran Kumar said.Police said the charge sheet in the arms case is yet to be filed as the alleged suppliers of the weapon have not been arrested.Investigators said Arun contacted Rani late on Tuesday night and asked her to come to his house to discuss family issues. During the meeting, he allegedly opened fire on her in the early hours of Wednesday, killing her on the spot.Police suspect another person may have been present with Arun at the time of the crime. Both allegedly fled after the shooting.A manhunt has been launched to trace the accused. Rani’s body was shifted for post-mortem examination, and a murder case has been registered.
