The Homicide Squad, with assistance from the U.S. Marshal Regional Task Force, the U.S. Secret Service and several specialized Nassau County units, reports the arrest of Harpal Hira, 33, of Hicksville, in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred at an Ingram Drive home earlier this month.

According to detectives, on Aug. 2, Harpal's wife Ritika Hira and her mother, Meena Kohli, 56, a Kuwait native visiting the residence, were stabbed in the Hicksville home. Kohli was stabbed in the back and suffered a punctured lung. She succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at 11:43 p.m. at Syosset Hospital. Ritika was transported to an area hospital for her injuries, which included stab wounds to her arms and hands. The couple's twin sons, who were in the home at the time of the crime, were unharmed and taken into protective custody by social services. Following the crime, Harpal fled the scene and police were looking for him, considering him a "person of interest."

At 2:20 p.m. Aug. 27, Harpal was arrested at 9th Avenue and 116th Street in Richmond Hill. He is being charged with murder - 2nd degree and a count of attempted murder - 2nd degree and was arraigned Aug. 28 in First District Court, Hempstead. Also arrested Aug. 27 at 118th Street and Jamaica Avenue in Queens was Parmjit Puar, 48, of South Ozone Park. According to police, Puar knowingly drove defendant Hira to and from various locations to avoid discovery apprehension by the police having knowledge that Hira had allegedly committed murder. Puar is being charged with hindering prosecution - 1st degree and was also arraigned Aug. 28 in First District Court, Hempstead.

According to county records, Ritika had obtained an order of protection against her estranged husband back in June after he threatened to kill her during a domestic dispute. As a result of the June incident, Harpal was charged with third-degree assault and menacing and forbidden to come into contact with Ritika Hira, Meena Kohli and a housekeeper.

- Victoria A. Caruso