In the murder case of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, charges of murder and destruction of evidence have been framed against his wife Sonam, lover Raj Kushwaha and three associates. A 790-page charge sheet was presented in the Meghalaya court, in which the story of making the honeymoon a murder plan came to light.
Indore/Shillong. A big update has come in the murder case of Indore transport businessman Raja Raghuvanshi. Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district court has framed charges of murder, destruction of evidence and conspiracy against Raja’s wife Sonam Raghuvanshi, her boyfriend Raj Kushwaha and three other associates. The charge sheet of this sensational case is of about 790 pages, which was filed in the Judicial Magistrate First Class Court of Sohra Sub-Division.
Was the conspiracy to murder the king hatched on the pretext of honeymoon?
Raja Raghuvanshi was married to Sonam on May 11 this year. A few days after the marriage, both of them reached Meghalaya for honeymoon on 21st May. But on May 23, Raja suddenly went missing. 10 days later, his badly mutilated body was recovered from a 30 feet deep ditch. There were marks of multiple stab wounds on the body.
Police investigation revealed that Sonam along with her lover Raj Kushwaha had planned to murder Raja. On the pretext of honeymoon, Raja was called to a deserted selfie point in Shillong, where three people were already waiting in ambush.
Under which sections did the court impose charges?
Meghalaya Court framed charges against the five accused under these sections of the Indian Justice Code-
- Section 103(1)- Charge of murder
- Section 238(a)-Attempt to conceal or destroy evidence
- Section 61(2) – Criminal conspiracy
The court said that “prima facie there is sufficient evidence against all the five accused.” Now the trial of this case is going to start soon.
Who played what role in this murder?
- Sonam Raghuvanshi: She took the king to the hill on the pretext of taking a selfie and signaled him to attack her.
- Raj Kushwaha: The one who planned the entire murder, i.e. the ‘mastermind’ according to the police.
- Vishal Chauhan: The king was killed by two blows with a dao (small axe) on his head.
- Akash Rajput: Sitting on the bike, I kept an eye on making sure no one came around.
- Anand Kurmi: Helped in purchasing fake SIM card and was present at the spot during the incident.
Was there an attempt to burn evidence?
Yes. Police investigation revealed that after the murder, the accused tried to burn Sonam’s black bag and some important items. Later, the SIT of Shillong Police caught contractor Shilom James, guard Balbir Ahirwar and Lokendra Tomar in a conspiracy to destroy evidence. Preparations for the second chargesheet against them are underway.
How the layers of the conspiracy were revealed – timeline of the investigation
- 17th June: SIT interrogated Raja’s family in Indore.
- 18th June: Interrogation at Sonam’s house and brother Govind.
- June 20: Sonam’s black bag was seen in CCTV, which was later found burnt.
- 22 June: The building guard and contractor were arrested.
- June 25: Weapons and cash recovered from the car.
- 29 October: The court framed charges of murder and conspiracy against all the 5 accused.
Will the trial of Raja Raghuvanshi murder case start now?
- The defense says that the accused are innocent, but the court has now given permission to start the trial. At present all the accused are in judicial custody.
- Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case has now become not just a murder story but a failed conspiracy of a ‘perfect crime’ which shocked the entire nation.