The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Meghalaya Police revealed new facts into the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, that not one but two daos (machetes) were used in the planned attack.
The revelation came after the recreation of the crime scene near the Weisawdong falls on Tuesday.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem told reporters that the first dao with an orange handle was recovered on June 2, the same day the body of Raja was recovered from a deep gorge near Weisawdong Falls at the Riat Arliang parking lot in Umblai.
He said the second weapon has a steel handle. It was subsequently recovered from the gorge by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) after the crime scene recreation.
Four of the five accused in the Raja murder case— Akash Rajput, Vikash Singh Chauhan and Anand Kurmi—including his wife Sonam, were taken to five places, starting from Mawlakhiat parking lot, where they had kept their scooty, up to Wei Sawdong parking lot where the crime was committed.
Sonam’s alleged boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, was not taken there. Kushwaha is believed not to have travelled to Meghalaya, instead directed proceedings from Indore.
Syiem said there was an attempt to kill Raja nearly 3-4 km away from the Weisawdong parking lot, but that didn’t materialise as the victim started his scooter to leave the place.
When they reached the Weisawdong parking lot, Syiem said Sonam signalled the attackers to begin, and Vishal inflicted the first blow with the dao with both hands, resulting in severe wound. The second blow was by Anand Kurmi and the last one was by Akash Thakur.
According to Syiem, the post-mortem report confirmed two sharp weapon injuries to the head. A third wound to the neck, allegedly inflicted by Anand, did not have an impact since the attacker was nervous.
“After the first blow on the head when blood came out and Raja started screaming, Sonam moved away from the spot,” the SP said. The three alleged killers lifted the body and threw it down into the gorge, he said.
A Fire and Emergency Service personnel acted as Raja during the reenactment, helping investigators understand the sequence of the assault — including the positions of the accused and the nature of the attack.
The white shirt worn by Akash, which was later found with Raja’s body, was also accounted for. Investigators determined how Raja’s mobile phone was damaged — initially by Sonam and later by Vishal.
Syiem revealed that Raja had removed all his ornaments before trekking back up to Mawlakhiat.
Initial theories that one accused was stationed as a lookout were ruled out. “The path to the parking lot is zigzag, and the idea of someone keeping watch doesn’t hold upon reevaluation,” Syiem said.
Raja reportedly became acquainted with the three accused during his trek back from Mawlakhiat, as witnessed by local guide Albert Pde. The trio, previously unknown to Raja, befriended him after discussing a trip to Dawki — a trip that would never materialise.
While the primary motive appears to be a love triangle, the police are investigating other possible angles.
Meanwhile, a Meghalaya police team is stationed at Indore to search a flat where Sonam stayed after the murder. The flat was found empty, but the team will continue its investigation there, the SP said.
Authorities are also considering whether to seek extended custody of the accused.
The SIT has videographed the entire reconstruction, with independent witnesses present. “We now have a very clear picture of how the murder was executed,” said Syiem. “The reconstruction was successful and vital for strengthening our case,” he added.
Sonam and Raja had ostensibly come to Meghalaya for their honeymoon after getting married on May 11. Although the couple had been missing since May 23-24, the SIT was formed only after Raja’s body was recovered on June 2.
Sonam, who was initially reported missing in Meghalaya, surfaced in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur where she surrendered after her alleged accomplices were arrested for their alleged role in conspiring and killing Raja.
SIT investigation revealed that Raj was the mastermind behind the crime and Sonam was involved in it. The lovers plotted to kill Raja 11 days before the arranged marriage of Sonam and Raja.
Raj and the three other accused are friends and investigations have revealed that the trio were already paid Rs 50,000 for travel and accommodation in Shillong and Guwahati.
