Indore Couple Case: 20 Lakhs paid for the murder; Sonam denies being involved

New Delhi (India) June 11: According to a Meghalaya Police officer, Sonam Raghuvanshi paid ₹20 lakh to hire killers to murder her husband Raja Raghuvanshi. The murder allegedly happened during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. 

Meghalayan police have denied accusations made by Sonam Raghuvanshi, the main accused in her husband Raja Raghuvanshi's murder where she was claiming that she was drugged and didn't know how she got to Ghazipur. The officers also said that she took ₹15,000 in cash from her husband's wallet during the incident and gave it to the attackers.

Vivek Syiem, Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills has said, “The FIR clearly mentions that Raja was murdered with a dao (machete) and his valuables were taken. Sonam’s involvement in paying the killers and offering a large sum afterwards strongly points to a conspiracy. We are analysing all evidence to ensure a thorough investigation.”

“She knew Raj Khushwah, her co-accused and suspected partner, was being investigated and would be arrested, so she came up with the story that she was kidnapped and drugged. She has admitted to the whole scheme. Her role in the murder is quite clear.”

The murder of Raja Raghuvanshi was allegedly committed by Sonam and her lover Raj Kushwaha, just days after it was reported that the couple had gone "missing" while on their honeymoon. On May 21, the pair left for Meghalaya after getting married on May 11. On May 23, they were reported missing. On June 2, the body of Raja Raghuvanshi was found in a gorge close to a waterfall in Sohra, East Khasi Hills. The murder apparently happened on May 23, the same day the pair went missing.

The investigators have concluded that Raj Kushwaha had maintained phone contact with Sonam during that period but he did not travel with her to Meghalaya.

A police officer from Indore has said, “Raj Kushwaha claims he didn’t want to support Sonam and at the last moment, cancelled his plan to go to Meghalaya. He also allegedly asked the three others not to go, but they went to see Meghalaya after Sonam booked the tickets. Even at the last moment, the three refused to kill, but Sonam insisted and said she would give ₹15 lakh for that. Police are verifying these claims,” regarding the case. 

The people arrested in the case are Raj Singh Khushwaha, Anand, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Akash Rajput. 

Aadrika Tayal