In a significant update on the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, all four accused were presented before Magistrate Shashank Singh at his residence in the Residency area of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The key suspects – Raj Kushwaha, Akash Rajput, Vishal Chauhan, and Anand – were brought under tight security.
A joint team of Indore Crime Branch officials and Meghalaya Police escorted the accused to the magistrate’s residence to complete the necessary legal formalities. Following the hearing, Magistrate Singh granted a seven-day transit remand, allowing Meghalaya Police to take custody of the accused for further investigation. The Meghalaya Police are expected to escort the suspects later tonight for further questioning.
Speaking to ANI, SIT Chief and SP (City), East Khasi Hills, Herbert Pyniaid Kharkongor mentioned that their team was en route to Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, where they plan to formally arrest Sonam, who had surrendered to the UP police earlier in the day. He said, “The first challenge was the terrain, followed by the weather, but we persevered and managed to discover Raja’s body, file a murder case, and begin our investigation. Four individuals have been arrested and will be presented in court. We will secure their transit remand to bring them to Shillong. Our team is close to reaching Ghazipur, where we will formally arrest Sonam and take her into custody.”
Kharkongor added that two teams had been deployed, one to Uttar Pradesh and the other to Madhya Pradesh, as part of the investigation. “Preliminary findings suggest that Raja and Sonam had a strained relationship, but this remains under investigation,” he stated.
Earlier on Monday, June 9, Indore Police Crime Branch and Shillong Police had ensured the three arrested suspects underwent medical examinations at a district hospital. According to the Indore Police, the suspects will be presented before the district court for further legal proceedings.
Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh spoke with ANI, claiming that Sonam was the main accused. “As per the SIT’s investigation, Sonam is the primary suspect. She came with three other contract killers. She surrendered to the UP police, and the other three have confessed to their involvement in the crime. The weapon used in the murder has been recovered, and a total of four people have been arrested,” Lyngdoh explained.
Sonam Raghuvanshi, the wife of the late Raja Raghuvanshi, was found near a dhaba on the Varanasi-Ghazipur main road, according to a senior Uttar Pradesh Police official. Raja and Sonam, both residents of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, had gone missing while on their honeymoon in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, where Raja’s body was later discovered.
