Did Evidence Suggest Wrongdoing in Meghalaya's Honeymoon Couple Murder Mystery?

New Delhi, June 9 (NationPress) Just hours after Sonam Raghuvanshi turned herself in to the police in Ghazipur regarding the murder of her spouse, Raja Raghuvanshi, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma provided exclusive insights to IANS about the case and the ongoing inquiry, suggesting her potential involvement.

When queried about his initial awareness of the wife's suspected role, Sangma indicated that numerous pieces of evidence pointed towards this possibility. After piecing together the information, signs of misconduct were identified. However, he added that it was premature to reach definitive conclusions. The police are meticulously examining the case and will soon clarify the entire sequence of events.

In a phone conversation with IANS, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma confirmed that his counterpart from Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, had personally sought an investigation into the incident.

Excerpts from the Interview

IANS: What are your thoughts on the Sonam Raghuvanshi case?

Conrad Sangma: Four individuals have been arrested in this case, including Sonam, and we are now working on bringing her and the other suspects to Meghalaya. We are conducting a comprehensive and meticulous investigation according to the law. We are carefully analyzing any uncertainties or concerns. The investigation is robust—our police have scrutinized everything in detail. We’ve coordinated with various state and central agencies, shared all available evidence, and received reciprocal cooperation. We are confident that the investigation is progressing well, and all currently arrested individuals are pivotal to the case.

IANS: When did you first realize that Raja's wife Sonam might be implicated?

Conrad Sangma: The police will provide updates on this. I prefer not to elaborate, as it may cause confusion and interfere with the investigation. However, we had several early indicators. It was crucial to connect all the evidence before concluding. This verification process took time. Currently, the four arrested individuals appear to be the primary suspects. However, if the investigation uncovers other participants, their statements will also be gathered, and the full truth will emerge.

IANS: Were the other accused already in Meghalaya? How did they plan this?

Conrad Sangma: The details will surface during the investigation. I can’t disclose everything at this stage. However, some of the accused were indeed in the vicinity. That’s where we began receiving leads. Once we interconnected all the evidence, the complete scenario started to unfold.

IANS: Have you discussed the case with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav?

Conrad Sangma: Yes, indeed. When the incident occurred, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav personally contacted me, urging a thorough investigation. At that time, both Sonam and her husband were missing, and the body had not yet been discovered. Subsequently, we managed to locate the remains of Sonam’s husband. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also reached out, and I assured both leaders that we were dedicating every effort to resolve the case promptly and comprehensively.

IANS: Do you think this case could affect tourism in Meghalaya?

Conrad Sangma: No, I don’t think so. It is an extremely unfortunate event. However, I want to emphasize that Meghalaya has never experienced such crimes. Our state’s foundation is tourism, and we treat our visitors like family. We prioritize their safety, respect, and hospitality. This incident is truly unimaginable for us. I have previously mentioned that it was disheartening to see some media outlets sensationalizing the matter without facts. Nonetheless, we were confident that once the truth emerged, clarity would follow—and that is indeed what is happening. People should refrain from jumping to conclusions without knowing the facts. Furthermore, it is unjust to judge residents from other states based on a single case. We are also enhancing security measures in tourist areas, including increasing the number of CCTV cameras.

In the meantime, in addition to Sonam, police have apprehended her alleged boyfriend Raj Singh Kushwaha and three other suspects: Vishal Singh Chauhan from Indore, Aakash Rajput from Lalitpur, and Anand from Sagar (Bina). The investigation is ongoing as authorities pursue new leads and track further developments. Prior sources indicated that Sonam had a prior relationship with Raj Kushwaha, who is suspected of playing a key role in orchestrating the murder.

Days following the couple's disappearance, Raja Raghuvanshi's body was found in a gorge beneath the Weisawdong Parking Lot in Meghalaya. A machete believed to be the murder weapon was also recovered from the location.