Shillong, June 12: What started off as a whirlwind romance has ultimately turned into a real-life crime thriller for the newly wed Raghuvanshi couple- with one partner dead, and the other in custody for murder.
On May 11, Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi exchanged vows in a gala wedding at Indore city of Madhya Pradesh, with dreams of building a future together- except that the feeling probably wasn’t mutual.
By June 11, Raja was no longer in this world, and his wife was standing trial in a court in Shillong, accused of a brutal murder in which the victim was the very same man she had vowed to love till the end. It was a tale that twisted from matrimonial bliss to macabre betrayal- a case of passion, betrayal and cold-blooded crime.
As Meghalaya police investigators peel back the layers, a chilling story emerges- that of love, lies and a deadly endgame.
Police custody for Sonam and killers
A court in Shillong remanded Sonam Raghuvanshi and four other men accused of committing Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder to eight days of police custody on Wednesday. All five accused, including Raja’s wife Sonam, were produced before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), in Shillong, which approved the custody period for further investigation.
The killers, including Sonam and her alleged boyfriend, arrested from different parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, were brought back to the state under armed escort late Tuesday night.
Confirming the court development, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said that all five accused have been remanded to eight days of police custody. He added that investigators had requested a 10-day remand and may seek an extension if needed.
The district police chief, who was at the forefront of the investigation, has also urged the public to avoid speculation, noting that preliminary interrogations have been conducted, but findings must be corroborated with evidence. “So far, only the five accused have been arrested, and further investigation will determine if others were involved,” said SP Syiem.
Crime reconstruction after interrogation
Meanwhile, contrary to earlier claims, the arrested killers and Sonam are not likely to be taken to Sohra, at this juncture, for reconstruction of the crime scene.
The police chief clarified that the accused will not be taken to Sohra for a crime scene reconstruction immediately, as they will first undergo thorough examination and interrogation. “Once statements are recorded and facts are established, the Special Investigation Team will decide on the reconstruction date,” he said.
Sonam pregnancy debunked
Addressing reports about Sonam Raghuvanshi’s alleged pregnancy, SP Syiem said a medical examination at Ganesh Das Hospital showed no indication of pregnancy. “A thorough check-up was done, and it appears negative. She will be rechecked after 24 hours to ensure her health,” he added, emphasizing that her well-being is a priority.
The other four accused, examined by a registered doctor at Sadar Police Station, are also under medical supervision. Syiem declined to provide details on the sequence of events, stating, “After interrogation, we will ascertain the exact roles of each accused and the extent of their involvement, including Sonam’s.”
He added that a “thorough plan” of the crime would emerge post-interrogation.
Sohra community praised for cooperation
The police chief, Vivek Syiem, has, while addressing media persons, praised the local community for their cooperation during the investigation. “The people of Sohra are not violent. They have helped with the search, provided information, and even cooked for the search team,” he said, adding that preventive measures are in place to maintain peace. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to uncover any additional details or suspects in the case.
