Suspicion of human trafficking after Raja-Sonam ‘spotted with 3 unidentified men’
Shillong, June 8: With fresh suspicion of trafficking emerged in the missing of Sonam Raghuvanshi, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo moto cognizance of the sensational murder-missing of the Indore couple, and asked Meghalaya police to intensify search operations by using all advanced means.
NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has urged the state’s director general of police (DGP) to intensify search operations using advanced means, including drone surveillance, search dogs, and specialised investigative teams.
She has called for a thorough exploration of all possible leads, with a detailed report to be submitted within three days.
While the body of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, was recovered from below a waterfall in Sohra recently, rescue teams could not trace Sonam even after rigorous operations for over two weeks now.
The suspicion of human trafficking to Bangladesh, particularly due to tour guide Albert Pde’s revelation that he had seen Raja and Sonam in company of three unidentified men, has heightened concerns.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav has appealed to the Union Home Ministry to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
However, the Meghalaya government has ruled out a CBI probe for now, with tourism minister Paul Lyngdoh stating that the state police and Special Investigation Team (SIT) are capable of handling the investigation.
The police continue to investigate, including checking for any links to human trafficking or cross-border movement.
