
Meghalaya honeymoon murder: Sonam Raghuvanshi, Raj Kushwaha admit to their relationship
According to Superintendent of Police (East Khasi Hills) Vivek Syiem, both Sonam and Raj have admitted to the crime and have recreated the crime scene for the police.
Sonam' family, unhappy with her relationship with Raj Kushwaha, arranged her marriage to Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore-based businessman, according to the police. Riled with this, Sonam had reportedly threatened her family of serious consequences if they made her marry Raja, which her family did, according to Vivek Syiem.
Also read: Honeymoon murder: Police arrest owner of Indore flat where Sonam stayed after fleeing Meghalaya
Sonam and Raj's affair is still in the middle of the case as the main motive behind the murder, however, other motives such as financial gains are being probed though they have not been established firmly yet.
'They wanted somebody out – I mean Raja – out of this whole scene, because they had a relationship and because of the customs where they had to agree between the parents and all that. So they thought... better get rid of this person (Raja),' Syiem said.
Also read: Police reject narco test demand in Meghalaya honeymoon murder probe Request for narco test rejected
Raja Raghuvanshi's family had requested a narco-analysis test on Sonam Raghuvanshi. However, their request has been rejected since ample evidence is in place against Sonam and her boyfriend Raj Kushwaha and their role in Raja's murder.
'They have already admitted to the crime. We have done the reconstruction. They have shown us. We have got the evidence... I don't see the reason why we should perform [a narco test] at this stage,' said Vivek Syiem.
Also read: Sonam Raghuvanshi got 'help' hiding jewellery, laptop and weapon: Indore property dealer, watchman held
He also explained that a narco test is usually done whether there is lack of evidence or no evidence at all. Banned by the Supreme Court, the results of a narco-test are also not admissible in court.
Sonam Raghuvanshi and Raj Kushwaha, the two main accused, along with three hitmen allegedly hired to carry out the killing - Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi - will reportedly be produced before the court on Thursday.
With inputs from David Laitphlang

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Drug peddler in Coimbatore gets 15-years of rigorous imprisonment
Coimbatore: The district special court for the trial of cases registered under the Essential Commodities Act on Monday sentenced a Kerala-based synthetic drug peddler to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment. A court source identified the convict as A Ajmal, 26, of Malappuram in Kerala . He was caught by the Masinagudi police in the Nilgiris a few days after he abandoned a car with 100 grams of methamphetamine and fled during a vehicle check at Kakkanallah check post on May 15, 2022. "When police nabbed him on May 21 that year, he was in possession of 15 grams of methamphetamine," the source said. Police registered a case and filed a chargesheet before the court. Special public prosecutor V Sivakumar represented the prosecution. Judge C Rajalingom delivered the verdict on Monday. He also imposed a fine of 1.5 lakh on Ajmal. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Minor accused of biting toddler sent to juvenile home
Noida: The minor attendant accused of biting a 15-month-old girl at a day care centre in Sector 137 was presented before the Juvenile Justice Board on Monday and sent to a correctional home. CCTV footage from Blippi Pre-School and Day Care in Paras Tierra society in Sector 137 showed the 16-year-old attendant punching the toddler, pushing her off a swing, dropping her on the floor, beating her with a plastic bat, and inserting a pencil into her mouth. She allegedly bit her in the thighs as well last Monday. The attendant, whose parents work as house helps in the same sector, was hired around 10 days before the incident without any formal training. The daycare operator, Charu, failed to appear before police to record her statement, prompting the cops to issue her a notice. The case is set to be heard again on Tuesday. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida The child's parents, Monica and Sandeep Kumar, had been sending their daughter to the daycare since May 21. Sandeep, an IT professional with a UK-based multinational company, had taken measures to ensure the facility's safety, including the installation of five CCTV cameras. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Highest Paying Degrees For 2025 Best Paying Degrees | Search Ads Learn More Undo Charu had also assured them of their child's safety. The minor was apprehended on Friday, but was released after initial questioning. On Saturday, Charu's husband, Rishi Arora, was called for interrogation. DCP (central Noida) Shakti Mohan Avasthy said, "We have also written to the child welfare officer, basic education officer, and district probation officer for action against the daycare centre." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Bar Council Issues Notices To 16 Lawyers in Punjab & Haryana HC Over 'Bench Hunting'
Last Updated: Bench hunting is an unethical practice where litigants or their counsel aim to have a case heard by a particular judge or bench perceived as favourable to secure a desired outcome The privilege committee of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has issued notices to 16 lawyers over allegations of bench hunting in the high court, considering it a severe threat to the dignity and ethics of the legal profession. Bench hunting, or forum shopping, is an unethical practice where litigants or their counsel aim to have a case heard by a particular judge or bench perceived as favourable to secure a desired outcome. Central to the controversy is the high-profile case of Roop Bansal v State of Haryana, a corruption case involving a Gurugram-based realtor and a former special CBI court judge. Certain advocates allegedly engaged in bench hunting to obtain favourable orders in this matter. The privilege committee has sought responses from several lawyers of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Supreme Court, as well as senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi. 'This Committee is of the considered view that it is necessary at this stage to seek responses from Senior Advocates Sh. Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Sh. Mukul Rohatgi, in order to fairly and comprehensively adjudicate the matter at hand," the notice states. Those named in the notice include senior advocates Rakesh Nehra and Puneet Bali, as well as advocates JK Singla, Sidharth Bhardwaj, Aditya Aggarwal, Gagandeep Singh, Anmol Chandan, Baljeet Beniwal, Harsh Sharma, Sauhard Singh, Rupender Singh, Ankit Yadav, Ashim Singla, Aakash Sharma, Bindu, and APS Shergil. All have been directed to appear before the committee on August 16. The notice states that, prima facie, Singla orchestrated the plan but suggests it is 'highly unbelievable" that he acted alone, alleging that the effort was organised with ingenious minds possibly pulling strings behind the scenes. The privilege committee was formed on August 4, 2024, following directions from bar council chairman Rakesh Gupta and is headed by Raj Kumar Chauhan. The committee said documents placed before it allegedly indicate an attempt to manipulate the bench assignment process in the Punjab and Haryana HC. 'The sole objective of placing this matter, suo motu, before the Committee is to uphold the dignity of the legal profession, ensure the maintenance of legal ethics, and discharge the responsibilities entrusted under the law," the notice states. Citing an Indian Express report titled 'Reassigned case: Chief Justice Nagu hints at 'bench shopping', says bar being destroyed', the committee stressed on the seriousness of the issue, noting that there appears to be 'foul play" by advocates representing Roop Bansal, who may have manipulated procedural rules for convenience and gain. 'In India, common people knock on the doors of the court with the help of noble advocates. Here, Roop Bansal tried to break the door of the court with the help of some ingenious-minded advocates. The matters pertaining to M3M and Roop Bansal, pending before the Hon'ble Punjab & Haryana High Court, need to be watched carefully. The Bar Council cannot remain idle as a mere spectator. It is duty-bound to protect the dignity and ethics of the profession. The Committee must trace out the rotten apples from the basket before all get spoiled," the notice states. Describing the incident as 'painful and disturbing", the committee observed that certain advocates had allegedly attempted to manipulate bench allocation in a tactful, systematic, and organised manner. The committee said the court is regarded as the temple of justice and that any attempt to subvert it, whether driven by greed or manipulation, must be addressed with utmost seriousness. Drawing a parallel with the Mahabharata, the committee said: 'We are reminded of the Mahabharata, where the silence of wise men in Duryodhana's court led to the disrobing of Draupadi. This serves as a grim reminder that silence and inaction in the face of injustice enable further injustice." 'Legal ethics are not optional. They are sacred. Upholding the dignity of this noble profession requires moral courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to truth," it added. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : punjab and haryana high court view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.