Indore Murder Twist: Accused Drove Mourners to Victim Raja Raghuvanshi’s Funeral, Says Eyewitness

The murder case of Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi in Meghalaya took a dramatic turn on Monday, June 10, when an eyewitness claimed that one of the arrested suspects had attended the victim’s funeral.

Eyewitness Lakshman Singh Rathore recounted, “When Raja’s body arrived here, Ms. Sonam’s family, whose home is in Govind Nagar Kharcha area, had arranged four-five vehicles for people to attend the funeral.

Mr. Kushwaha was driving the four-wheeler in which I went, though we did not talk. Only after seeing his photograph in the media post his arrest, I recollected this episode.”

The murder, which has drawn national attention, came into sharper focus when Raja’s wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, was arrested along with three accused: Akash Rajput (19), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), and Raj Singh Kushwaha (21).

According to Meghalaya police, Sonam had hired these men to kill her husband during their honeymoon trip to Meghalaya.

Sonam Apprehended in Ghazipur

On Monday, Sonam, aged 24, surrendered before the Uttar Pradesh Police in Ghazipur. She was later produced before a local court for transit remand, after which she was expected to be handed over to a Meghalaya Police team that arrived in Ghazipur the same evening.

Ghazipur Superintendent of Police Iraz Raja informed that Sonam was apprehended from ‘Kashi Dhaba’ on the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway.

After a medical check-up at Sadar Hospital, she was taken to a one-stop centre, which supports distressed women with legal and medical aid.

An employee at the dhaba stated that Sonam had asked to borrow a phone to call her parents in Indore. This led to the Madhya Pradesh Police tracing her location, and subsequently, Uttar Pradesh Police was alerted and made the arrest.

Around 6:30 p.m., Meghalaya Police took her into custody from the one-stop centre. While she was detained at the eatery, police clarified that Sonam had voluntarily approached the Nandganj police station to surrender.

Family Reaction and Arrest of Other Accused

Sonam’s brother Govind arrived in Ghazipur from Meghalaya. Speaking to reporters, he said, “If she is guilty, she should be hanged. Whatever the government decides, we will accept it.” He also mentioned not having spoken to Sonam or met her since her disappearance.

Akash Rajput, one of the accused, was arrested from Chauki village in Uttar Pradesh’s Lalitpur district on Sunday night. Lalitpur SP Md Mustaque stated that Rajput is being interrogated by Meghalaya Police and further action will follow.

Earlier, Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) I Nongrang revealed that one person was detained in Uttar Pradesh, and two others were held in Indore by a special investigation team.

Timeline of Events: From Honeymoon to Homicide

Raja and Sonam were married on May 11 and left for their honeymoon on May 20. They reached Mawlakhiat village on May 22 via a rented scooter. On May 24, the scooter was found abandoned along the Shillong-Sohra road, prompting a search.

The couple went missing on May 23 after checking out of a homestay in Shillong. Raja’s body was found in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls on June 2, bearing signs of murder. Following this, Sonam was reported missing, sparking a nationwide manhunt.

According to DGP Nongrang, the murder was carried out by men allegedly hired by Sonam. “The arrested men have revealed that the wife had hired them to kill Raghuvanshi,” said the DGP, adding that searches are still ongoing in Madhya Pradesh for more suspects.

Tourist Guide Reveals Key Clue

A local guide, Albert Pde, who met the couple during their trek to Nongriat, stated that he saw them on May 23 accompanied by three men.

“The four men were walking ahead while the woman was behind. The four men were conversing in Hindi, but I could not understand what they were speaking as I know only Khasi and English,” said Pde.

Pde had offered to guide them to Nongriat earlier, but they chose another guide named Bha Wansai. The couple stayed overnight at Shipara homestay and were last seen the following morning.

Family Claims Sonam Did Not Surrender Voluntarily

Raja’s brother Vipin Raghuvanshi disputed police claims of Sonam’s surrender. “Sonam has not surrendered. She called us. We informed the police so they could take her into safe custody,” said Vipin.

He explained that Sonam had been hiding in a forest and contacted Raja’s younger brother Govind and a family friend out of fear.

Vipin emphasized that while other suspects were caught in Madhya Pradesh, Sonam was in Uttar Pradesh, suggesting a difference in circumstances. “We’ll believe what happened only after she confirms it herself,” he said.