First photo of Raj Kushwaha, alleged lover of Sonam Raghuvanshi, emerges
In the ongoing investigation into the alleged murder of
Raja Raghuvanshi
during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, the first images of Raj Kushwaha—suspected of being involved in the case—have surfaced. Meghalaya Police have accused
Sonam Raghuvanshi
, Raja's wife, of planning the murder and hiring contract killers, with
Raj Kushwaha
's name now coming under scrutiny.
Raj Kushwaha's photo surfaces amid murder plot probe
Photos of Raj Kushwaha, a man identified as Sonam Raghuvanshi's former employee, have now been made public. His name was earlier mentioned by Raja's brother, Vipul Raghuvanshi, who alleged that Sonam used to frequently talk to him. Investigators are now focusing on establishing Raj Kushwaha's role in the days leading up to Raja's death in the Sohra area of Meghalaya.
Raja's brother links Sonam and Raj Kushwaha
Vipul Raghuvanshi had earlier told ANI that Raj Kushwaha was often in touch with Sonam over the phone. 'I had no idea about those 3–4 people till the time I did not know their names... Raj Kushwaha's name has come forward, which means Sonam can be involved in the murder... Raj Kushwaha was Sonam's employee. They would constantly talk on the phone,' he said.
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Vipul also added that he was unaware of how the couple planned their Meghalaya trip. 'They were only supposed to go to Assam to offer prayers at Maa Kamakhya Temple. After that, they said they were heading to Shillong. We don't know who out of the two planned their visit to Meghalaya. They did not book any return tickets,' he said.
Sonam's family maintains innocence, alleges police framing
Sonam's father, Devi Singh, has claimed that Meghalaya Police are trying to frame his daughter and demanded a CBI probe. 'Meghalaya Police are lying. They did not do any inquiry. I am 100% sure that Meghalaya Police is involved in the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi... Meghalaya Police is trying to trap Sonam in this case,' he said.
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Police continue to investigate Sonam's movements
Sonam Raghuvanshi was recently located at a dhaba in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. According to ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash, 'Sonam Raghuvanshi called her family members at around 3 AM and informed them that she was present at the Kashi Dhaba on Varanasi-Ghazipur main road... Sonam Raghuvanshi will be handed over to Meghalaya Police as soon as they reach Ghazipur.'
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Hindustan Times
7 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Three mothers grieve after honeymoon turns deadly
Indore, What began as a dreamy honeymoon for an Indore-based couple in Meghalaya has unravelled into a sordid saga of murder and betrayal, leaving three families heartbroken. The shocking death of 29-year-old Indore transport businessman Raja Raghuvanshi has ripped open a dark secret, plunging three mothers into unimaginable grief. As Meghalaya Police peel the layers of this horrific crime, the narrative points to a "murder of trust" within the most intimate of relationships. According to Meghalaya Police, Sonam was allegedly involved in the conspiracy to murder her husband Raja Raghuvanshi with her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha. The duo had hired three killers to execute the plan. Uma Raghuvanshi stands by her son Raja's garlanded photograph, her face a mask of grief and bewildered anger. "Initially, we couldn't believe that my daughter-in-law Sonam could get my son Raja killed," she told PTI, her voice trembling. "But we are slowly starting to believe it now." The questions that haunt her is, "If Sonam liked another boy, why didn't she refuse to marry Raja? Why did she kill my son?" The two got married on May 11 and left for honeymoon on May 20. During the probe, it emerged that Sonam herself had planned the trip to Meghalaya. "I didn't know that my son would return from Meghalaya as a dead body," Uma said while crying inconsolably and recalling the warm send-off the day the couple left, little knowing that it would turn into a tragic farewell. The family was completely unaware of Raj Kushwaha's existence before the Meghalaya police investigated the case. Miles away from Raja's residence, in a small rented house in Indore, Raj Kushwaha's mother, Chunni Devi, is also inconsolable, along with her three daughters. "My son is innocent. He has been framed. How can a 20-year-old boy commit such a big crime? He is the only breadwinner in our house after my husband passed away," she told PTI. She also claimed that her son even attended Raja Raghuvanshi's funeral procession and returned home in tears. "My son was saddened by Raja Raghuvanshi's death and even went to his funeral procession. After returning from the funeral procession, he was crying a lot. I had consoled him that everything will be fine and what is the use of crying now," the mother of the alleged main conspirator said. Sonam's maternal home in Indore's Govind Nagar Kharcha area is in a different kind of shock. Her family runs a business dealing in Sunmica sheets, where Raj Kushwaha, a 12th-grade dropout, worked as an accountant. Sonam's mother, Sangeeta, was reluctant to speak to the media. "False allegations are being made against my daughter. I cannot say right now what might have happened to Raja Raghuvanshi in Meghalaya?" she muttered. The mother of Sonam, the alleged main accused, demanded that there should be a detailed investigation into the murder of her son-in-law. Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam were reported missing on May 23 and days later, the body of the newlywed groom was discovered on June 2 in a deep gorge near a waterfall in Sohra, also known as Cherrapunji, in the East Khasi Hills district. Sonam surrendered to the police in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district, while Raj Kushwaha and three other accused were apprehended in various parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The Special Investigation Team constituted by the Meghalaya Police is probing every detail of this case. However, for the three mothers whose lives have been irrevocably shattered, the tears continue to flow.
India.com
33 minutes ago
- India.com
Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: New Twist In Sonam-Raja Raghuvanshi Case
Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case: In a shocking turn of events, the honeymoon of Raja Raghuvanshi turned into a nightmare, ending in his brutal murder. The prime accused, his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi, has been arrested, revealing a complex web of deceit and betrayal that has left the nation stunned. With its twists and turns, this case has captivated the nation, leaving many wondering how such a tragedy could unfold. The investigation has revealed that Sonam and Raj Kushwaha allegedly plotted to eliminate Raja for a fresh start. Here are 10 key developments so far: Timeline of the incident: 1. Transit Remand Granted: The Meghalaya Police has been granted a three-day transit remand for Sonam Raghuvanshi, allowing them to take her to Shillong for further investigation. 2. Investigation Unfolds: Sonam is being taken to Shillong to recreate the crime scene and gather more evidence. The police are working to piece together the events surrounding Raja's murder. Police believe Sonam was alive and involved in the case based on her phone records and conversations with Raj Kushwaha. According to the Police, there are clear signs of frequent contact between Sonam and Raj Kushwaha through encrypted apps before and during the honeymoon. 3. Sonam's Alleged Involvement: According to the police, Sonam conspired with her alleged boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, to kill Raja during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. Raj Kushwaha allegedly hired contract killers to carry out the murder. Raj orchestrated the plan from Indore while his three childhood friends — Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi — were allegedly sent to Meghalaya to carry out the murder. Sonam Raghuvanshi had offered Rs 4 lakh to hired killers for the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, sources said, adding she later raised the amount to Rs 20 lakh. According to top police sources, Sonam helped the other accused in pushing Raghuvanshi's body into a gorge in Meghalaya. 4. Raj Kushwaha's Role: Raj Kushwaha was seen consoling Sonam's father at Raja's funeral, sparking outrage and raising questions about the family's knowledge of their relationship. According to the police, he allegedly hired contract killers to carry out the murder, and his role in the crime is being investigated further. According to Police Raj, in his statement has also revealed that following the murder, Sonam destroyed her mobile phone to erase evidence. Sonam assured Raj that once she became a widow, her father would approve of their marriage. Raj also said that Sonam planned to pass off the murder as a robbery to mislead investigators. 5. Arrests and Investigation: Five people have been arrested in connection with Raja's murder, including Sonam, Raj Kushwaha, and three hired accomplices. Meghalaya's Shillong Police, along with Indore Crime Branch, on Tuesday searched the Indore residence of one of the four accused, Vishal Singh Chauhan, reported ANI. 6. Financial Transactions: The police are probing financial transactions between Sonam, Raj Kushwaha, and the accused killers to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy. Meanwhile, Raja's mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, said Sonam planned for their honeymoon and took ₹9 lakhs from Raja to book tickets and hotels. She even insisted on taking all the jewellery with them on the honeymoon. 6. Raj Kushwaha's Relationship with Sonam's Family: Raj Kushwaha worked in the billing department of a plywood unit owned by Sonam's family and had a close relationship with them. This has raised questions about the family's knowledge of their relationship. 7. Sonam's Claim: Sonam claimed she was kidnapped and abandoned in Uttar Pradesh, but the police believe she was involved in the crime and surrendered after learning of Raj Kushwaha's arrest. The investigation has revealed that Sonam attempted to mislead the police, posting from Raja's social media account after his murder to make it seem like he was still alive. 8. Murder Weapon and Autopsy Report: The murder weapon, a dao (machete), was brought from Guwahati and seemed to be a new one, indicating premeditation. According to the preliminary autopsy report, Raja was hit on the back and front of his head. 9. Raja's Family Seeks Justice: Raja's family, particularly his sister Shrasti, a social media influencer, has been actively documenting the developments of the murder case on Instagram, seeking justice for Raja. Meanwhile, Sonam's father denied her involvement in the murder and demanded a CBI probe in the case. Raja's mother has demanded strict punishment for Sonam if she's found guilty. On the other hand, Vipin Raghuvanshi, the brother of the deceased Raja Raghuvanshi, said that his brother's wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is accused of plotting the murder along with her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, came to UP's Ghazipur with two people. He also claimed Sonam's mother knew about the alleged affair but kept it from others. 10. Ongoing Investigation: The investigation is ongoing, with further revelations expected to come to light in this case. Madhya Pradesh CM has reacted to the incident and has said, "The Sonam Raghuvanshi-Raja Raghuvanshi incident is a lesson to society as well as a very painful incident. It teaches us several lessons. When two families come together through marriage, things need to be taken care of very minutely. Letting children go so far also needs to be thought about. I am hurt by this incident." As the investigation continues, the nation is left to ponder the shocking details of this case. The murder of Raja Raghuvanshi has brought to light the dark underbelly of human relationships, where love and trust can turn to deceit and betrayal. The police are working tirelessly to bring justice to Raja's family, and it remains to be seen what further revelations will come to light in this case.
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Meghalaya murder plot finalised day before wedding, ‘Sonam's boyfriend gave 3 men Rs 50k to kill Raja'
According to sources, Sonam never told her family about her relationship with Kushwaha, who worked as an accountant for her family's business, or that she didn't want to marry Raja. Kushwaha, investigators said, had also never spoken of marriage to Sonam's family. All five—Sonam, Raj Kushwaha and the three men Akash Rajput, Anand Kurmi and Vishal Singh Chauhan—have been arrested. New Delhi: The plan to kill Raja Raghuvanshi was finalised on 10 May, a day before his wedding to Sonam, ThePrint has learnt. Sources said Raj Kushwaha, Sonam's suspected boyfriend, allegedly gave Rs 50,000 in cash and a mobile phone to three men before they boarded a train to Guwahati with the motive to kill Raja. Sources in the Madhya Pradesh police, which led a joint probe with the Meghalaya police in the murder case, said Kushwaha had asked the three men to only use the phone he gave them for communication with him. 'They were handed over the cash and the mobile phone before they boarded the train to Guwahati on 20 May. On the 22nd, they reached and drove down to Nongriat (in Meghalaya),' a senior police officer said. On 22 May, Sonam and Raja were also in Nongriat after reaching Shillong on 21 May for their honeymoon. Raja was killed on the intervening night of 23-24 May and his body was dumped in a gorge. After the murder, the three men hired by Kushwaha and Sonam left Meghalaya, stopping at Assam's Guwahati and then reaching Uttar Pradesh. While Sonam stayed in Uttar Pradesh, the other three went to Indore on 25 May. Kushwaha never travelled to Meghalaya. He had stayed back to coordinate the plan, sources added. Also Read: Meghalaya honeymoon murder: How bloodstained shirt & mangalsutra led police to suspect Sonam Raghuvanshi No escape plan Sources said that during interrogation Vishal Singh Chauhan confessed to having hit Raja with a machete (dao) first. The second blow came allegedly from Anand Kurmi. The sources said Sonam and Akash Rajput stood there, keeping an eye out. Asked how the accused planned to evade police after the murder, the sources said while the accused meticulously planned the murder, they did not plan how to deal with the police after that. The sources said the accused did discuss this among themselves but never decided on a plan. 'They weren't sure of the next plan of action. They are also changing statements. First, they said they only wanted to injure him, and Sonam would elope with Raja after returning. But then they decided to kill him, after Sonam said her father would agree for her to marry anyone once she is a widow. They planned she would (hide somewhere) and surface later, claiming she was kidnapped, but their plan went for a toss,' a senior police officer said. The accused have no previous criminal record. A second officer said, 'It appears none of the accused thought through what they will do after the murder. Sonam was just going on hiding in Uttar Pradesh, panicking, and the others were in Madhya Pradesh.' (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Honeymoon murder: 'Mastermind' boyfriend plotting in Indore, groom lured to his death on Meghalaya trek
