The investigation into the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case has uncovered that one of the accused secured a flat in Indore shortly after the businessman's death in Meghalaya. This development adds another layer to the already complex and chilling details emerging from the case.
Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore-based transport businessman, was allegedly murdered during his honeymoon in Meghalaya. His wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, and her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, are the prime suspects in the case. According to police investigations, the murder was meticulously planned, with multiple failed attempts preceding the final, fatal one.
The revelation about the rented flat came from Shilom James, a property management businessman in Indore. James stated that Vishal Chauhan, one of the accused, approached him on May 30, 2025, to rent a flat in the Dewas Naka area. Chauhan reportedly paid a security deposit of ₹34,000 and agreed to a monthly rent of ₹17,000. James handed over the keys to Chauhan but could not confirm if Chauhan or any of his associates ever occupied the flat. The flat remains locked, and the building lacks CCTV surveillance, according to James, who also stated that he has informed the police about the rental agreement.
The timeline of events is crucial in understanding the significance of this new information. Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi were married on May 11 and departed for their honeymoon in Meghalaya on May 20. Raja went missing on May 23 from the East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya. His body was discovered on June 2 in a deep gorge near a waterfall in the Sohra area, also known as Cherrapunji. Sonam Raghuvanshi surrendered to police in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, on June 8. The rental agreement was signed on May 30, while the search for Raja was ongoing and before his body was found.
According to police, Raj Kushwaha is the mastermind behind the murder plot, with Sonam playing a key role in its execution. The motive behind the murder is still under investigation. Authorities apprehended four other individuals including Vishal Chauhan, Raj Kushwaha, Anand Kurmi, and Akash Rajput from various locations in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Meghalaya police is currently probing the case.
Meanwhile, Raja Raghuvanshi's family is demanding a narco analysis test on Sonam and Raj Kushwaha to reveal the "entire truth" behind the murder. The family has also called for a fast-track trial and "double life imprisonment" for the culprits.
The police investigation also revealed that Sonam Raghuvanshi allegedly visited Indore after her husband's murder and stayed in a rented flat for three days, between May 25 and 27. This flat is reportedly located in the Dewas Naka area. Additionally, a Meghalaya Police team visited Vishal Chauhan's house in Indore and seized the clothes he wore during the murder, which will be sent for forensic analysis to check for blood stains.
The case has garnered significant media attention, with the public expressing outrage and demanding justice for Raja Raghuvanshi. At the Indore airport, an angry bystander slapped one of the accused while they were being escorted by the police.
