Raja Raghuvanshi murder: Crime scene recreated; two machetes used by Sonam's lover’s friends: Police
Raja Raghuvanshi murder: In a chilling update to the brutal murder of Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi, the Meghalaya Police have confirmed that three men—not one as earlier believed—attacked Raja. Investigators have also revealed that two machetes were used in the murder, both wielded by friends of his wife's alleged lover.
The crime took place on May 23 near the Wei Sawdong waterfalls in the East Khasi Hills district, just 12 days after Raja’s wedding to Sonam Raghuvanshi. His body was discovered on June 2, having been thrown into a deep gorge.
According to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday recreated the entire sequence of events at the original crime scene. Present during this reenactment were the key accused: Sonam Raghuvanshi, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, and his three friends—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi.
“We conducted the recreation at the same time of day as the original incident to trace the movements and roles of each individual involved,” SP Syiem told reporters. “The murder occurred at a viewpoint near the falls. We established where each person stood and how they participated in the assault. Two separate machetes were used during the attack. We’ve recovered one and are still searching for the second.”
The police said Sonam was present during the entire act and played an active role. She allegedly gave the signal that triggered the assault on her husband. The first strike was delivered by Vishal, after which Raja collapsed. The accused Akash reportedly discarded his blood-stained white shirt into the same gorge where Raja’s body was later dumped.
"Sonam has already confessed," SP Syiem confirmed. "She directed the attackers, witnessed the entire murder, and later destroyed her mobile phone to erase evidence. It was a premeditated crime. All three men carried out the killing while she stood by and watched.”
The selection of Wei Sawdong as the murder site, according to the police, was intentional. It is a remote location with little to no public presence, and none of the perpetrators were familiar with Meghalaya, suggesting a deliberate effort to commit the crime in an isolated area.
The SIT also retraced the couple's itinerary prior to the murder, visiting other sites, including Mawlakhiat. Simultaneously, a team has been deployed in Indore to expand the investigation and question additional individuals connected to the case.
The police suspect that Raj Kushwaha, who had been working in the Raghuvanshi family business, may have orchestrated the entire conspiracy with Sonam. The motive behind the crime appears to be driven by an extramarital affair and a plan to eliminate Raja soon after his marriage.
The police investigation is ongoing, with further forensic analysis and interrogation of the suspects underway. Additional arrests or disclosures are anticipated.
- With inputs from agencies
