Meghalaya police are set to file a charge sheet in the sensational murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi at Sohra in May this year, Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang said on Sunday.
Raja was killed while on his honeymoon trip with his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, who has since been arrested along with her alleged paramour, Raj Kushwaha, as the alleged masterminds behind the crime.
“The charge sheet is being finalised by investigation officials and will be submitted in the next couple of days,” Nongrang told.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has arrested eight people so far. Apart from Sonam and Kushwaha, those in custody include Akash Rajput, Anand Kurmi and Vishal Singh Chauhan, who allegedly executed the murder plan.
Three others — property dealer Silome James, building owner Lokendra Tomar, and security guard Balbir Ahirbar — were arrested on charges of destroying and concealing evidence. They are currently out on bail. Nongrang said a supplementary charge sheet will be filed against them once material evidence from Indore is fully examined.
The SIT, with assistance from Madhya Pradesh police, has collected what officials describe as “substantial evidence,” including machetes believed to be the murder weapons, a pistol, cash, jewellery, laptop, pen drive and mobile phones. Some items, investigators said, were allegedly destroyed by the accused.
Police also have confessional statements from some of the accused recorded before a magistrate, though two of them — Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi — declined to give statements, exercising their legal rights.
Officials said the case highlights an elaborate conspiracy, with Sonam and Kushwaha allegedly plotting Raja’s murder during the couple’s honeymoon.
