BHOPAL/GUWAHATI: As the special investigation team (SIT) of Meghalaya police probing the May 23 honeymoon killing of Indore tourist Raja Raghuvanshi started quizzing the five arrested accused, including Raja’s wife Sonam, there were a series of unanswered points that seemed to hold the key to investigations.
A local court in Meghalaya capital Shillong on Wednesday sent Sonam Raghuvanshi and four others, including prime accused Raj Kushwah, to eight-day police remand. Though there were reports of Sonam confessing to the crime, the Meghalya Police urged the media to not jump to any conclusion. In a dramatic development, Sonam’s brother Govind visited the home of Raja on Wednesday and broke into tears after hugging his slain brother-in-law’s mother Uma Raghuvanshi.
One unanswered point seems to be Sonal’s trolley bag? “Why was she carrying a trolley bag while going with Raja to the monsoon tourism hotspot Sohra (Cherrapunjee) on a short visit? Have you seen any couple carrying a trolley bag on a short trip riding a scooter?” a source part of the ongoing probe told TNIE.
“Where are Sonam’s multiple cell-phones she was carrying during the trip? There were at least two iPhones, one of which seemed to have been destroyed after the alleged murder. All others are switched off. Their data hold the key,” the source added.
“Raja rented a scooter to go from Shillong to Sohra (Cherrapunjee) on May 23. The scooter was found abandoned some distance from the place where he was murdered. Who took that scooter there? Also, CCTV grabs of nearby areas a short while after the killing show Sonam on a scooter (possibly the same rented scooter) probably accompanied by Vishal, the man who actually attacked Raja with the machete.”
“They attacked Raja, but he resisted two of them, seeing the two attackers being overpowered by Raja, the third attacker Vishal attacked on his head with the Dao (machete),” said the source. Earlier in the wee hours, Sonam was brought to the hill station and had a medical examination. Report of pregnancy test was negative, Meghalaya cops said.
Brother wants death sentence
Sonam’s brother Govind Raghuvanshi visited the home of Raja on Wednesday and said that the evidence clearly suggested that she had got it done.... “she should get the death sentence”.
