Man Who Killed his Ex-Wife in Germantown Gets Life in Prison

A Nashville man, who killed his ex-wife in Germantown, was sentenced on Oct. 15 to life in prison for the crime.

Baldeo Taneja, 63, murdered Preeta Gabba, of Germantown, last October.

His wife at the time, Raminder Kaur, was with Taneja during the crime, according to court documents. Kaur’s sentencing date is yet to be set.

Michael Mason, Montgomery County Circuit Judge, presided over the sentencing hearing. He said that an “acrimonious divorce is not a reason to kill your ex-wife. Today Mr. Taneja is being held accountable for the murder of his ex-wife in such a cold, calculated and violent way.” Mason also presided over the trial that took place in August.

Patrol officers found Gabba on Crystal Rock Drive with at least one gunshot wound to the leg. She was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to police.

Police said several witnesses reported that a female was seen walking near the victim at the time of the shooting. The female left the scene prior to the arrival of the police.

According to Police, Taneja and Kaur were accused of traveling from Tennessee to Germantown to kill Gabba, Taneja’s 49-year-old ex-wife.

Taneja’s charging documents stated that detectives learned from Gabba’s son that Taneja had been having issues making his alimony payments and had a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 10, 2013. Taneja did not show up for court. Investigators found out that Taneja was using an AT&T cellular phone that put him in the Washington D.C. area until Oct. 12 at about 12:45 p.m.

The phone was turned off after that. Detectives also found out that Taneja and Kaur reserved a room at Red Roof Inn in Rockville. The couple checked out from the hotel on Oct. 12. The hotel’s clerk told detectives both individuals were seen at the Red Roof Inn.

Further investigation revealed that Taneja and Kaur had purchased two firearms in Nashville on Sept. 28, 2013, police said. Based on these facts, and other informations, arrest warrants were issued for Taneja and Kaur for first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

About Aline Barros

Aline Barros is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at Abarros@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @AlineBarros2.

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