In a significant development in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, the prime suspects, Sonam Raghuvanshi and her alleged boyfriend Raj Kushwaha, have confessed to their involvement in the killing of Raja Raghuvanshi, Sonam’s husband. The revelation was confirmed by the Superintendent of Police (East Khasi Hills), Vivek Syiem, on Tuesday.
According to the police, both Sonam and Raj not only admitted to their crime but also cooperated in recreating the crime scene as part of the ongoing investigation.
Superintendent Syiem stated that Sonam’s family had disapproved of her relationship with Raj Kushwaha and arranged her marriage to Raja Raghuvanshi, a businessman based in Indore. Enraged by this decision, Sonam had allegedly issued threats to her family, warning of serious consequences if they forced her into the marriage.
“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),” said Syiem, highlighting the central motive behind the killing.
While the illicit affair appears to be the primary motive, the police are not ruling out other possible reasons behind the murder, including financial incentives. However, as of now, such motives have not been conclusively established.
Raja Raghuvanshi’s family had appealed for a narco-analysis test to be conducted on Sonam. However, this request has been turned down by the police, citing the overwhelming evidence already available.
“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 Syiem.
He further clarified that narco-analysis tests are typically considered only when there is a lack of evidence. Additionally, such tests are banned by the Supreme Court and their results are inadmissible in court.
The two main accused, Sonam Raghuvanshi and Raj Kushwaha, will be produced in court on Thursday, along with three others: Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi. These three are suspected hitmen who were allegedly hired to execute the murder.
