What Happened in the Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case? Three Accused Sent to Six-Day Police Custody

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Three suspects in custody for tampering with evidence in Raja Raghuvanshi's murder case.
- The Special Investigation Team is actively pursuing leads and gathering evidence.
- Critical items, including a firearm, have been recovered.
- Raja's family is hopeful for justice as investigations continue.
- The case highlights issues of accountability and justice in high-profile murders.
Shillong, June 26 (NationPress) In a significant development, a local court in Shillong has placed three individuals in police custody for six days due to their alleged involvement in tampering with crucial evidence related to the murder case of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi.
The accused, presented before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, saw confirmation of their remand by Assistant Public Prosecutor Tushar Chanda.
Among those arrested is Lokendra Singh Tomar, a resident of Gwalior, who was detained on Monday. Tomar owns a flat in Indore's Dewas Naka area, where the primary suspect, Sonam Raghuvanshi, reportedly sought refuge during the investigation.
The other two individuals—Silome James, a property dealer who rented a flat to co-accused Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Balbir Ahirwar, also known as Ballu, a security guard at the same apartment complex—were apprehended over the weekend.
Authorities assert that the trio played a pivotal role in concealing and manipulating evidence pertaining to this high-profile case.
Following extensive searches, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Meghalaya Police departed Indore on Thursday, carrying crucial evidence, including a country-made pistol found in a drain in Indore. The SIT has arrested three individuals—Silome James, Balvir Ahirwar, and Lokendra Tomar—from various locations in Madhya Pradesh over the past week.
These three have been taken on transit remand to Shillong for cross-examination involving the main accused: Sonam Raghuvanshi, her alleged boyfriend Raj Kushwaha, and his three associates, who were arrested between June 8 and 10.
An officer from Indore Police indicated that a weapon likely vanished along with other items from a flat where Sonam, Raja Raghuvanshi's wife, stayed for several days after fleeing Meghalaya post-murder.
Meanwhile, Raja Raghuvanshi's brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, expressed that he learned through media reports about the recovery of a pistol and a laptop alongside a mobile phone during investigations. “I came to know through the media that a pistol has been recovered, either from a bag or near the drain, along with a laptop or mobile. We are hopeful that these recoveries would bring some more clarity in the case,” Vipin stated.
Addressing Sonam's brother, Govind, who has been vocal in the media about seeking justice for Raja, Vipin remarked that he should advocate for the death penalty for his sister. “If he truly believes his sister has done wrong and is implicated in this case, why isn't he demanding strict punishment for her?” Vipin questioned.
Raja Raghuvanshi, who married Sonam on May 11, was reported missing on May 23 during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. His dismembered body was discovered in a deep gorge in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya on June 2.
The Meghalaya Police suggest that the recovery of the firearm and ammunition reinforces their suspicions regarding the meticulous planning behind this heinous murder.
Over nine days (between June 17 and 25), the Meghalaya Police conducted extensive searches in Indore.
The SIT also visited the families of Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi to discuss Sonam's behavior before and after her marriage to Raja Raghuvanshi.