(Edited by By Ibalarishisha Syiem)
SOHRA || In a major development in the investigation into the brutal murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, East Khasi Hills Police, on June 17, conducted an extensive crime scene reconstruction at multiple locations in Sohra, revealing chilling new details of how the killing was meticulously planned and executed by Raja’s wife Sonam, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, and three accomplices.
Two Machetes Used, Positions Recreated
Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, Vivek Syiem, revealed that contrary to initial findings, not one but two machetes were used in the attack. The first machete was found on June 2 from Ar Liang gorge on the same day that Raja’s body was recovered. Investigators recovered the second machete from the Ar Liang gorge after the accused revealed its location.
The reconstruction, which began at 12.30 pm at the Mawlakhiat traced the movements of the accused through the Wei-Sawdong view point to the deep gorge, where earlier failed attempts gave way to the final, fatal assault.
During the crime scene recreation, the accused demonstrated their exact positions during the attack: Sonam stood in front of Raja, Anant positioned on his left, Akash toward the back left, and Vicky (Vishal) on his right. Vishal struck the first blow with a machete, causing Raja to collapse. Blood gushed from Raja’s wounds, prompting Sonam to step back from the immediate scene. This was followed by strikes from the “nervous” Anant and then Akash, who delivered the fatal blow to Raja’s upper back.
Gruesome Disposal of the Body
The three men then lifted Raja’s body, two by his arms and one by his legs and hurled it down the gorge. The body first struck a rocky ledge mid-way, then tumbled further into the gorge’s deeper sections. Police said this explains why the recovery operation proved so difficult; Raja’s body was finally located on June 2, nearly 10 days after the crime.
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Initial Sinister Plan Abandoned
According to police, the accused had originally intended an even more sinister plan; this plan was hatched in the month of February this year. The first plan was to make up a story about Sonam being washed away by a strong current of the river. The second involved killing someone else, burn the body, and place it on Sonam’s scooter to mislead investigators. They, however, abandoned this plan and instead hatched a new plan which involved the murder of her husband – Raja.
While in Sohra, the four of them had plotted to finish the job at Nongriat and then at Mawlakhiat; but due to a bustling surrounding, they were unable to carry out the plan. After several failed attempts, they finally took him to Wei-Sawdong (an abandoned tourist spot) where they carried out the gruesome killing.
Cover-Up and Destruction of Evidence
In an attempt to cover their tracks, Sonam smashed Raja’s mobile phone while Akash cut the battery and discarded his own blood-stained white shirt into the gorge. The accused also packed Raja’s gold and valuables to take back to Indore.
SP Syiem also disclosed that Sonam used three different mobile phones during the planning and execution of the murder, two of which have since been discarded, while the third is still being traced.
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Ongoing Probe Across States
As the investigation progresses, police teams are now searching locations connected to Sonam in Indore and tracking down potential gold dealers who may have purchased the stolen items.
SP Syiem praised the dedicated efforts of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, and local volunteers in recovering Raja’s body from the dangerous gorge, a challenging operation given the area’s difficult terrain.
Murder Planned in Remote Location
Police revealed that none of the five accused had previously visited Meghalaya, believing the remote and deserted Wei-Sawdong site would help them hide their crime. The investigation faced several hurdles, including the lack of CCTV footage, difficult terrain, and the suspects’ unfamiliarity with the area, making the crime scene reconstruction critical in piecing together the sequence of events and clarifying each accused’s role.
From Wedding to Murder in 11 Days
Raja was murdered on May 23, just 11 days after his wedding in Indore and his body was thrown into a deep gorge near Wei-Sawdong Falls, where it was discovered on June 2. After the murder, Sonam fled Meghalaya and travelled through Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, before surrendering on June 9 near a roadside dhaba on the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway.
Police sources revealed that Sonam had left behind her mangalsutra and wedding ring in a trolley bag at a Sohra homestay, raising suspicion about the disappearance of the couple.
Further Investigation
Director General of Police, Smt I Nongrang said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing the case from all angles. She suspects the murder might not be just about a love triangle and says there could be “underlying layers” yet to be uncovered.
“It doesn’t sit very well… to generate so much animosity within just days of marriage,” she said.
Police confirmed that all five accused have confessed to their roles, from planning the murder to attacking Raja with machetes and disposing of his body. The investigation continues as police work to establish the full motive behind this cold-blooded killing.
Sonam and the four other accused will be produced in the District Court in Shillong on June 19 as investigators hope to get additional police custody of the five accused.
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