Agencies, Shillong, June 16, 2025 : The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged murder of Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi is set to reconstruct the crime scene at the parking lot near Weisawdong Falls in Sohra at noon on Tuesday. The re-enactment will be carried out in the presence of prime accused Sonam Raghuvanshi and the three alleged accomplices — Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi — in a bid to establish a clearer sequence of events leading up to the incident.
Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang confirmed the development and said that the police are working diligently to file the charge sheet within the legally mandated timeframe. She also stated that the investigation is progressing steadily but hinted that the motive behind the killing remains unclear.
“How could someone develop such deep animosity that just days after marriage, she plots to kill her husband? It does not quite add up,” Nongrang remarked, questioning the explanation given by the accused. She acknowledged that while the case appears to involve a love triangle, further motives may exist, and the police are thoroughly examining all possible angles.
The DGP revealed that investigators are cross-examining the accused to reconcile discrepancies in their statements, noting that “many loose ends are being tied up.” She added that the police already possess substantial evidence against the five arrested individuals and are considering seeking extended custody once the initial eight-day remand period ends.
As part of ongoing procedures, Sonam was taken to the Meghalaya Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (MIMHANS) on Monday for a routine psychiatric evaluation based on earlier medical recommendations.
The couple, who had married on May 11 and arrived in Meghalaya for their honeymoon on May 21, were last seen together on May 23. Later that same day, Raja was allegedly pushed into a 1,000-foot gorge. His body was found after a days-long search, and Sonam was arrested a week later from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. During questioning, she confessed to plotting the murder with her partner Raj Kushwaha and the assistance of his friends — initially believed to be contract killers but later identified as acquaintances. All five individuals remain in custody.
Meanwhile, in Indore, Raja’s family has demanded narco-analysis tests on Sonam and her family members, including her parents, brother Govind, and sister-in-law. Speaking during the 13th-day death ritual, Raja’s brother Vipin Raghuvanshi expressed suspicions of wider involvement in the alleged conspiracy and urged authorities to include the entire family in the investigation. “More people might be involved in my brother’s killing. We want those who posted these videos online to be questioned as well. Why did they not release these videos earlier?” he asked.
The investigation took another turn after new videos surfaced online, including one in which Sonam and Raja are seen trekking in Nongriat village just hours before the incident. Another clip allegedly captures the presence of the three other accused in the vicinity. These visuals have further fueled speculation and public interest, prompting renewed appeals for a thorough probe.
Despite the severity of the crime, DGP Nongrang emphasized that Sohra remains one of Meghalaya’s safest areas, historically free of major crimes. “There hasn’t been a murder recorded in Sohra for decades. When the family initially reported a case of robbery and crime involving the Indore couple, it was difficult to believe, given the peaceful nature of the area,” she said, highlighting the deeply unsettling nature of the case.
Investigations continue as authorities aim to establish a complete and accurate timeline, determine the full extent of the conspiracy, and ensure justice is delivered in what has become one of the most disturbing and widely followed cases in the state in recent years.
