In a shocking twist in the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, investigators have ruled out the involvement of professional contract killers. Instead, the heinous crime appears to have been carried out as a favour between friends.
New Details Uncovered
Fresh revelations suggest that the three arrested men- Vishal, Akash, and Anand were not hired hitmen, but individuals who participated in the killing as a personal favour to Raj Kushwaha, the alleged lover of Raja’s wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi. The new information challenges the earlier theory of a paid contract killing.
On Tuesday, the Meghalaya Police recreated the crime scene at Wei Sawdong Falls in Cherrapunji, near the parking lot where Raja’s body was discovered earlier this month. The reconstruction is part of an ongoing probe by the East Khasi Hills police.
“This was not a typical contract killing. The plan was indeed to kill Raja Raghuvanshi, but the motive wasn’t financial. They did it as a favour for their friend, Raj Kushwaha,” said Vivek Syiem, Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills district.
A Sinister Plot Unfolds
Raj Kushwaha, believed to be in a relationship with Sonam Raghuvanshi, is suspected to have orchestrated the murder, with Sonam playing an active role in the conspiracy. Contrary to earlier assumptions, the three young men involved were not paid assassins. Police say they acted out of personal loyalty, with Raj providing them only ₹50,000 for logistical support.
Investigators have also revealed a chilling “Plan B” devised by the accused. To murder an unidentified woman, burn the body, and pass it off as Sonam’s, thereby buying her time to disappear before the truth surfaced.
The plan was reportedly hatched in Indore in early February. The conspirators initially intended to kill Raja in Guwahati, Assam’s capital, but abandoned the idea due to unfavourable conditions.
Timeline of Events
Raja Raghuvanshi, 29, and Sonam, 24, had travelled to Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district shortly after their wedding. Both went missing on May 23 while visiting the popular tourist destination of Sohra (Cherrapunji). Raja’s body was found on June 2 in a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls.
Sonam, presumed missing, resurfaced on June 9 in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, where she surrendered to the police.
Police Custody Likely to Be Extended
Authorities are expected to seek an extension of custody for all the accused. In Indore, more than 2,200 kilometres away, Raja’s family held a private ‘tehrvi’ (13th-day death ritual), attended only by close friends and relatives. Among the attendees was Sonam’s brother, Govind, who has also been summoned for questioning.
“They (Shillong police) have called me for questioning. They said I need to give a statement,” Govind confirmed.
Raja’s brother Sachin said that the family had prepared all of Raja’s favourite dishes, including Gulab-jamun, Noodles, Manchurian, Dal-chawal etc.,
“We are not organising it like a typical tehrvi for a natural death, only our family members are participating” Sachin added.
The Raghuvanshi family continues to grapple with many unanswered questions. The family has also demanded a narco-analysis of all five accused.
