Police have filed a 790-page chargesheet in the court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Sohra Sub-Division Court, against five accused in the sensational murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, who was killed during his honeymoon trip to Sohra in May this year.
Superintendent of Police East Khasi Hills, Vivek Syiem, said, “A 790-page chargesheet against the arrested accused along with substantial material evidence and enclosures has been filed in the court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Sohra Sub-Division Court today.”
On May 21, 2025, Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi arrived in Shillong for their honeymoon and later travelled to Sohra. On May 26, the couple was reported missing. A massive search operation was launched by Sohra Police, Special Operation Team, NORF, SDRF, trekking groups, and locals from surrounding villages. On June 2, Raja’s body was recovered from a deep gorge at Arliang Riat Kunongrim, Umblai near Wei Sawdong.
Following this, Sohra PS Case No. 07/2025 under Sections 103(1)/238(a)/309(6)/3(6) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted led by senior officers, including SP (City) Herbert Kharkongor, DySP (Crime) Bipul Das, DySP (Ops) Simseng A. Sangma, DySP (City) Kyrmen Shabong, and Investigating Officer SI Anthony Khongsit.
Within seven days of investigation, police traced five suspects, including Sonam Raghuvanshi, to Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
After conducting a thorough investigation, including collecting and collating all evidences, it is conclusively established that Sonam Raghuvanshi was in a relationship with Raj Kushwaha and a criminal conspiracy was hatched by Raj Kushwaha along with Sonam and the three assailants to murder (L.) Raja Raghuvanshi under the pretext of a honeymoon to Sohra. The murder was however executed by Aakash Singh Rajput. Vishal Singh Chauhan and Aanand Kurmi in the presence of Sonam Raghuvashi at Arliang Riat Kunongrim, Umblai near Wei Sawdong.
The five primary accused named in the chargesheet are:
- Sonam Raghuvanshi – Sections 103(1), 238(a), 61(2) of BNS, 2023
- Raj Singh Kushwaha – Sections 103(1), 238(a), 61(2) of BNS, 2023
- Vishal Singh Chauhan – Sections 103(1), 238(a), 61(2) of BNS, 2023
- Aakash Singh Rajput – Sections 103(1), 238(a), 61(2) of BNS, 2023
- Aanand Kurmi – Sections 103(1), 238(a), 61(2) of BNS, 2023
On further investigation three more accused were arrested, namely Lokendra Tomar, Balla Ahirwar and Shilom James from Gwalior, Shadora and Dewas respectively for destruction of evidence.
Syiem said, “A supplementary chargesheet will be submitted against the three other accused on receipt of additional forensic reports.”
