Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has lauded the Meghalaya Police for their swift and efficient handling of the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, a crime that shocked the state and drew national attention. The case, which began with the disappearance of Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi, a newlywed couple from Indore, during their honeymoon, quickly turned into a high-profile murder investigation.
The couple had arrived in Meghalaya on May 21, just days after their wedding on May 11. However, their honeymoon took a tragic turn when they vanished on May 23 from the Sohra area of East Khasi Hills district, hours after checking out of a homestay in Nongriat village. A scooter they had hired was discovered on May 24 in Sohrarim. Raja's family filed a missing person complaint on May 25. The search ended on June 2, when Raja's body was found in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls, approximately 20 kilometers from where they were last seen. The absence of a gold ring and chain on the body suggested robbery as a possible motive.
However, the investigation took a dramatic turn when the police uncovered a sinister plot allegedly masterminded by Raja's wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi. According to the police, Sonam allegedly conspired with her boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, to hire three men to kill Raja. The breakthrough came swiftly, with Sonam being apprehended in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, about 1,200 km away from Shillong. Simultaneously, four others, including Raj Kushwaha, were arrested in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
CM Sangma praised the Meghalaya Police for their meticulous investigation, noting that they "were able to piece together the facts very quickly but chose not to reveal too much in the early stages because they were cautious that premature disclosure could compromise the investigation." He emphasized the measured approach taken by the police, which ultimately led to the successful apprehension of the accused.
Adding a crucial piece to the puzzle, a local tourist guide named Albert Pde provided a vital clue. Pde informed the police that he had seen Raja walking with Sonam and three other men on the day they disappeared. This information corroborated the police's suspicion of a contract killing.
CM Sangma has assured that the state government is committed to ensuring a fast-track trial in the case, promising swift justice for the victim. "Yes, we would like the judicial process to be completed as swiftly as possible," Sangma stated. "Whatever steps are required to facilitate this from our side as a government, we will do that and try to ensure that the trial progresses quickly." He also expressed his dismay at the negative portrayal of Meghalaya in some media outlets following the incident. "Our government and state have been defamed (even though) none of the accused are from Meghalaya," he told NDTV in an exclusive interview. He urged those who had unfairly painted Meghalaya as unsafe to apologize to the government, the police, and the people of the state.
The Chief Minister reiterated that Meghalaya is a tourist-friendly state and that the government will continue to ensure the safety and security of all visitors. He acknowledged the concerns raised about the safety of tourists in the state but assured that the government is taking all necessary measures to maintain a secure environment.
