SHILLONG | Crucial evidence in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case was allegedly destroyed by three individuals who helped prime accused Sonam while she was hiding in Indore after the murder. East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem on Tuesday confirmed that police suspect greed to be the motive behind the destruction, though the trio is not directly linked to the murder itself.
The three accused: Lokendra Singh Tomar, owner of the Indore flat; Balveer Ahirwar, a security guard; and Silome James, a property broker, have been arrested from different locations and are being brought to Shillong for further interrogation. Two of them have already been produced in court and remanded to seven days’ police custody, while one was arrested in Gwalior and is being brought on a transfer remand.
“These people have destroyed evidence. Destruction of evidence is an offence. It is vital to the case”, said SP Syiem.
According to police, Sonam stayed in the Indore flat from May 30 to June 7, after allegedly being involved in the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi. The flat came under police radar only after the accused were arrested and interrogated in Shillong. Police said they were unaware of the exact flat where Sonam was hiding until further interrogation revealed the location.
Once the flat was identified, it was placed under watch by the Indore police. However, by the time the Meghalaya team reached the location after June 10, it had already been cleared out. Investigators suspect the three men accessed the flat and removed a box believed to contain Sonam’s gold, Raja’s chain, and possibly cash, before attempting to burn the contents.
“They must have thought to check what was there, found the cash and jewellery… not knowing that the police would trace the whole thing back. Later realising that police would come and be able to ascertain who were there, all three took off”, Syiem said.
Debris and burnt material have been collected from the flat by a forensic team from Uttar Pradesh and sent to the Central Forensic Lab for analysis. While no weapons or jewellery have been recovered yet, police say the destruction of the box and its contents has now become a strong piece of circumstantial evidence.
No Direct Link to the Murder, But Incriminating Role
“There is nothing which is suspicious in nature (on) their link to this whole murder.” “They are not involved in the murder per se but they are involved in destroying vital evidence” he added, saying that they have proof of them taking the box out. CCTV footage and other material are being examined, with further interrogation to determine the full extent of their involvement.
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Narco Test Not Required, Says Police
Raja’s family had requested a narco-analysis test, but Syiem dismissed the need for one at this stage.
“They have already admitted to the crime. We have done the reconstruction. They have shown us. We have got the evidence… I don’t see the reason why we should perform (a narco test) at this stage,” said Syiem, adding that results from such tests are not admissible in court and are typically used only in the absence of evidence.
Murder Motive Under Investigation
The motive behind the murder continues to be investigated. While police initially pointed to a love triangle, they are now examining whether business and financial interests also played a role. Both Sonam and another accused reportedly had their own companies.
“Sonam and Raj’s affair is still in the middle of the case as the main motive behind the murder,” Syiem said. Other motives such as financial gains are being probed, though they have not been firmly established yet.
“They wanted somebody out, I mean, Raja out of this whole scene, because they had a relationship and because of the customs where they had to agree between the parents and all that. So, they thought… better get rid of this person (Raja),” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, with further questioning of all accused expected in the coming days.
(Edited by Ibalarishisha Syiem)
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