The mystery of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi's gruesome murder during his honeymoon trip grows darker with each revelation, uncovering the depths of a cruel conspiracy. Both police and judicial investigations have concluded that Raja's grisly end was orchestrated by none other than his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, in collusion with her lover, Raj Kushwaha.
Executed amid the scenic yet secluded hills of Meghalaya, this premeditated murder left the investigation team most startled by Sonam's cold deed of cleaning the blood-stained weapon with wild grass instead of cloth or paper.
Information unearthed during police interrogations and formal charges suggests Sonam maintained contact with her lover Raj Kushwaha even after marriage. They plotted Raja's demise in Indore before spiraling it into a murderous scheme.
Initially, Sonam schemed to feign death and disappear during the honeymoon trip but pivoted to plotting Raja's murder to build a future with Raj after a year's disappearance.
Raj Kushwaha enlisted friends, including Vishal Singh Chauhan alias Vicky, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi, to carry out the murder. An initial plan in Assam failed, leading to its execution in Sohra (Cherrapunji), Meghalaya.
Strikes with the Dao on Head and Neck
On May 23, the murder unfolded near a ravine in Sohra's Wei Sawdong parking area. After parking their scooter at Mawlukhyiat, Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam set off trekking, where they were met by Vishal, Akash, and Anand. Familiarity from Indore provided the link.
As Raja posed by the railing, Vishal Chauhan forcefully struck his head with a dao. Anand Kurmi followed with blows to the neck or shoulder, while Akash struck the head again.
Preceding the attack, Sonam left the scene feigning a bathroom visit, returning after Raja was cast into the ravine.
Source: aajtak
Cleaning Blood with Grass and Destroying Evidence
Chillingly, Vicky wiped the blood-stained dao on grass before Sonam smashed Raja's mobile with it, hoping to shroud their trail. Akash discarded his bloodied white shirt into the ravine. For Vicky's travel expenses, Sonam gifted ₹20,000, then masked herself in a maroon burqa to flee to Shillong.
Sonam traveled through varied routes to Indore, temporarily staying at Raj Kushwaha's home with the women of the house absent. After several days, Raj relocated her to a rented flat in Indore's Dewas Naka, where she provided his SIM card, retrieving it after severing ties with hers.
Source: aajtak
Raj supplied a new SIM card post-disposal, maintaining proximity with Vicky during his stays, who ensured Sonam remained unseen, securely locked in when absent.
Charges Framed Against 5, More Awaiting Chargesheet
Following extensive investigation, Sonam Raghuvanshi was captured in Uttar Pradesh, while Raj Kushwaha and the three attackers were detained in Indore. A substantial 790-page chargesheet was submitted in Sohra sub-divisional Magistrate Court. Tuesday saw formal charges against Sonam Raghuvanshi, Raj Kushwaha, Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi under IPC sections 103(1) (murder), 238(A) (evidence tampering), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy).
The police now prepare a secondary chargesheet targeting three more accomplices—Shilom James, Lokendra Tomar, and Balbir Ahirwar—for evidence obliteration.
