The mysterious death of Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore-based businessman, during his honeymoon in Meghalaya has taken a shocking turn, with the autopsy revealing that he was struck on both the front and back of his head. This crucial detail has further intensified the investigation, pointing towards a pre-planned and brutal murder.
Raja and his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, embarked on their honeymoon to Meghalaya on May 20. Just three days later, on May 23, the couple was reported missing after last being seen checking out of a homestay in Nongriat. Their rented scooter was later discovered abandoned near Sohrarim. A frantic search ensued, and on June 2, Raja's decomposed body was tragically found in a deep gorge near the Wei Sawdong Falls in East Khasi Hills. A machete, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered nearby.
Initial investigations treated the case as a missing person situation. However, the discovery of Raja's body quickly shifted the focus to a murder investigation. Meghalaya Police have now alleged that Sonam Raghuvanshi orchestrated her husband's murder with the help of her lover, Raj Kushwaha, and hired contract killers.
The autopsy report, which revealed the two sharp wounds on Raja's head, has corroborated the theory of a planned execution. According to reports, the murder weapon, a machete-like object, was purchased from Guwahati. The nature of the injuries suggests a deliberate and violent attack, solidifying the belief that Raja was a victim of a carefully plotted crime.
In a multi-state coordinated effort, police have made several arrests in connection with the case. Sonam Raghuvanshi was apprehended in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, after she reportedly surrendered to the police. Prior to her arrest, she had made a call to her family, informing them of her location at a roadside eatery. Her family then alerted the Indore Police, who coordinated with Uttar Pradesh counterparts. Further arrests include Raj Kushwaha, believed to be Sonam's lover and the "handler" of the other accused, as well as Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan alias Vikki, and Anand Singh Kurmi.
According to police, Sonam and Raj Kushwaha were allegedly involved in an extra-marital affair, which served as the primary motive for the murder. It is alleged that Sonam hired contract killers to eliminate her husband. Raj Kushwaha, who was reportedly Sonam's employee and worked as an accountant in a firm registered under Sonam's brother's name, is accused of coordinating the other assailants.
Adding to the intrigue, a local tourist guide, Albert Pde, provided a crucial lead to the police. He revealed that he had seen Raja and Sonam accompanied by three men on the day they went missing while trekking up from Nongriat. This sighting corroborated the involvement of hired killers in the crime.
The family of Raja Raghuvanshi has demanded justice and is seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). They have expressed disbelief and shock at Sonam's alleged involvement in the murder. Sonam's family, on the other hand, has defended her, claiming her innocence and alleging that she has been falsely implicated.
As the investigation progresses, Meghalaya Police are working to gather more evidence and unravel the full extent of the conspiracy behind Raja Raghuvanshi's murder. They are seeking transit remand for Sonam to bring her to Meghalaya for interrogation. The case has garnered widespread attention, with many expressing their shock and condemnation of the heinous crime.
