Meghalaya Police on Saturday filed a 790-page chargesheet in the sensational murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, who was allegedly killed during his honeymoon in Sohra. The chargesheet names his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, and her purported lover, Raj Kushwaha, among eight accused.
According to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, Raja was attacked while Sonam was present. “After conducting a thorough investigation, including collecting and collating all evidences, it is conclusively (proven) that Smti Sonam Raja Raghuvanshi was in a relationship with Shri Raj Kushwaha and a criminal conspiracy was hatched by Raj Kushwaha along with Sonam and the three assailants to murder Raja Raghuvanshi under the pretext of a honeymoon to Sohra,” police said.
The businessman went missing on May 23, shortly after the couple’s wedding on May 11. His mutilated body was recovered from a deep gorge in Sohra on June 2, following a large-scale search operation. Sonam was later traced to Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh, approximately 1,200 km away, and was taken into custody by Meghalaya’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 9.
The chargesheet details that Sonam allegedly conspired with Raj Kushwaha and engaged three assailants, including Akash Singh Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi, to carry out the killing. Additional accused, Lokendra Tomar, Balla Ahirwar, and Shilom James, were charged with tampering with evidence.
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Raja was reportedly struck with a machete by Chauhan, while Sonam was present. She fled the scene when Raja began to bleed and scream, returning only after he succumbed to multiple injuries. Police recovered the murder weapon, blood-stained clothes, CCTV footage, Sonam’s mangalsutra, and other evidence from the hotel and crime site.
Panchmahal Collector Ajay Dahiya said the victims included two lift operators, two labourers, and two others accompanying the trolley at the time of the incident. “The impact of the fall occurred near the base point, close to the first tower of the cable,” he added.
Raja’s brother, Vipin, called for the death penalty for all accused. “We are satisfied with the police investigation. Sonam and the others must face the strictest punishment,” he said, adding that the family continues to mourn the loss and alleged misconduct by certain relatives.
The chargesheet has been submitted to the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class of the Sohra Sub-Division and is expected to proceed to trial in the coming weeks.
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