Shillong, Meghalaya: In a significant development in the brutal murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, a Meghalaya court on Thursday remanded three individuals to six days of police custody. The trio, arrested in Indore on charges of concealing evidence, were brought to Meghalaya under stringent security measures and underwent medical examinations at the Civil Hospital before their court appearance.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Tushar Chanda confirmed to PTI that “The Court has granted six days of police custody for all three accused.” These arrests stem from allegations of obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence at a flat in Indore. This particular flat was where Raghuvanshi’s wife, Sonam, and her alleged boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, had stayed following the murder, which is believed to have been executed by three hired assassins.
The Meghalaya Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) had previously apprehended property dealer Silome James on Sunday. James was instrumental in leasing the Indore flat to Vishal, one of the alleged hitmen, which subsequently became the temporary residence for Sonam and Raj. East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem informed PTI that jewellery and other personal belongings taken by Sonam after the crime were also transported to this flat. Two other individuals were also taken into custody in Madhya Pradesh in connection with the case.
Earlier arrests in the ongoing investigation include Sonam, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, and his associates Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi. Raja Raghuvanshi, who had married Sonam on May 11, was reported missing on May 23 during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. His dismembered body was later discovered on June 2 in a deep gorge within the Sohra area of the East Khasi Hills district.