Substantial material evidence to frame the accused: Police
Shillong, Sep 5: Three months after the sensational Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, the state police have filed the charge sheet against the key accused, including his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi and her lover Raj Kushwaha.
Charges were also framed against the three assailants – Aakash Singh Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan and Aanand Kurmi – who were assigned to execute the murder during the couple’s honeymoon trip to Sohra.
“A 790-page charge sheet against the arrested along with substantial material evidence and enclosures has been filed in the court of the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Sohra Sub-Division Court today (September 5),” East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said in a statement.
A supplementary charge sheet will be submitted against three other accused – Lokendra Tomar, Balla Ahirwar and Shilom James from Gwalior, Shadora and Dewas respectively – who were arrested for destruction of evidence, on receipt of additional forensic reports.
On May 21, Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi of Indore, Madhya Pradesh came to Shillong for their honeymoon trip and then went on to Sohra.
On May 26, the couple was reported to be missing from Sohra. In the following days, there were speculations about various angles to the incident, including robbery by local elements, while a massive search operation was going on.
After several days of search by Sohra police, SOT, NDRF, SDRF, trekking groups and hundreds of local people from surrounding villages, the Raja’s body was found on June 2 from a deep gorge at Arliang Riat Kunongrim, Umblai near Wei Sawdong, Sohra.
Accordingly, a case was registered with Sohra police station.
While recovery of Raja’s body did not stop the speculation about involvement of local elements and their family alleged Sonam could be murdered as well, Meghalaya police have denied it outright without divulging much though.
“Taking into account the gravity of the offence, a special investigation team (SIT) was constituted consisting of Superintendent of Police (City) Herbert Kharkongor, deputy superintendent of police (Crime) Bipul Das, deputy superintendent of police (ops) Simseng A Sangma, deputy superintendent of police (city) Kyrmen Shabong, SI Anthony Khongsit, IO of the case and two sub-inspectors from the special cell,” the SP said.
Appreciating the efficiency and dedication of the investigation team, Syiem pointed out that within seven days of preliminary investigation, all the five accused, including Sonam were traced to Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
“After conducting a thorough investigation, including collecting and collating all evidences, it is conclusively established that Sonam Raghuvanshi was in a relationship with Raj Kushwaha and a criminal conspiracy was hatched by Raj Kushwaha along with Sonam and the three assailants to murder Raja Raghuvanshi under the pretext of a honeymoon to Sohra,” the SP said.
The murder was executed by Aakash Singh Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan and Aanand Kurmi in the presence of Sonam at Arliang Riat Kunongrim, Umblai near Wei Sawdong, he added.
