Bengaluru ring road murder: 21 years on, Meghalaya honeymoon case echoes same script of love and betrayal
PTC News Desk: The brutal killing of Raja Raghuvanshi allegedly his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi has left the family grieving and nation stunned. What started as a search operation, swiftly transformed into a murder investigation after Raja Raghuvanshi's decomposed body was found in a deep gorge in Sohra area of East Kasi hills. Following discovery of his body speculations of Sonam meeting a similar fate gained momentum until last Sunday when she was arrested for allegedly killing her husband over a probable love affair with Raj who used to work in her father's factory.
However even after 21 years, this case echoes similar script of love and betrayal. Two murders, 21 years apart but bound by betrayal, manipulation and orchestrated killing at a secluded location.
Meghalaya rings the bell of Bengaluru ring road case
As the investigators dig deeper, peeling of layer by layer into the Meghalaya honeymoon case, it bring back sharp memories of the infamous 2003 'ring road case' in Bengaluru.
In 20023, a 21-year-old law student Shubha Shankaranarayan got engaged to 27-year-old software engineer BV Girish, who was reportedly earning Rs 1 lakh per month at that time. Girish was a well settled guy belonged to a simple family who was quite happy with the engagement. Shubha also belonged to a afluent family as his father was an aclaimed lawyer.
Three days after the engagement Girish was killed, a meticulously planned murder orchestrated by Shubha.
The faitful day of December 3 was disguised as a dinner outing when Shubha took Girish to an isolated place after the dinner citing that she wanted to witness plane taking off near the HAL airport. Moments later, a hired killed struck Girish from behind with a blunt weapon while Shubha screaming for help. Following the attack, Girish was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to the severe head injuries the next day.
Girish's family filed a police complaint into the case but there was no concrete evidence. Following rigorous investigations and interrogations, police rounded up Shubha who later confessed to the crime. It was the call records which led to the breakthrough in the chilling murder. The scrutiny showed that she made 73 calls and sent numerous messages to Arun- her boyfriend on the day of murder which eventually grew suspicion.
The Bengaluru police soon arrested all four accused in the case: Shubha, Arun and two others Venkatesh and Dinakar. A session court sentenced them to life in 2010.
However the Supreme Court granted bail to Shubha in 2014.
- With inputs from agencies
