Dhanuka’s house on Kanke Road in Ranchi. Picture by Manik Bose

Ranchi, March 14: Businessman Raj Kumar Dhanuka was a friendly and cheerful man but his involvement in the real estate business may have cost him his life.

Dhanuka wore many hats — be it coal trading, construction, transport or real estate finance. “He was also involved in the sale of prime property in and around the state capital. His company would finance real estate developers and those who wanted to buy vehicles,” said a close associate of Dhanuka.

He headed three companies — Shivam Finance & Leasing Company Private Limited, Evas Syndicate (coal trading) and Devika Constructions.

Sources said Dhanuka owned many properties in Ramgarh and Hazaribagh, too.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. Both his sons, Aditya and Rahul, are pursuing a chartered accountancy course, while his daughter Devika, an alumni of Delhi Public School in Ranchi, is pursuing higher studies in the United States (US).

Dhanuka’s wife, Deepsikha, is a homemaker.

Hailing from a Marwari family, Dhanuka was very friendly.

“He was much respected in the society as he would be open to help the needy. He gave many jobs to youngsters in the city,” the associate added.

Former president of the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commence and Industries, Arjun Prasad Jalan, said Dhanuka’s untimely death is a big loss for the business community in the state capital.

“It also shows how poor the law and order situation is in the state. Even the President’s rule has failed to bring peace and harmony here,” he lamented.