In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the alleged murder of Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, police have arrested two individuals in Indore for their alleged roles in helping the prime accused, Sonam Raghuvanshi, conceal crucial evidence. The arrests of a property dealer and a watchman bring the total number of arrests in the case to seven, intensifying the probe into the shocking incident.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Silome James, a property dealer, and Balvir Ahirwar, a watchman and carpenter. They were apprehended by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Meghalaya Police, working in coordination with local authorities. James was reportedly attempting to flee to Bhopal when he was caught at the Bhonrasa toll-gate in Dewas district on Saturday evening. Ahirwar was arrested from his native village in Ashok Nagar district in the early hours of Sunday. Both men were presented before an Indore court and have been remanded in the transit custody of Meghalaya Police for seven days.
According to police sources, Silome James, who is also the lessee of a building at Heera Bagh Colony in Indore, is accused of helping Sonam Raghuvanshi hide a box containing jewellery, a laptop, and potentially a weapon belonging to her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha. Sonam is believed to have stayed at a flat in this building after fleeing Meghalaya following her husband’s murder. Police allege that James subsequently destroyed the box and its contents by burning them. While forensic teams have visited the site and collected burnt remnants, no signs of the pistol, laptop, or jewellery have been found yet.
Balvir Ahirwar, the watchman at the same building, is also implicated in the destruction of evidence. Preliminary investigations suggest he was present and aided James in disposing of the items.
The flat in Heera Bagh Colony was reportedly rented out by James to Vishal Chauhan, one of the co-accused already in judicial custody. Sonam is said to have stayed there for several days after the alleged murder, before eventually surrendering to police in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, on June 8.
The case revolves around the alleged murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, an Indore businessman, who was found dead near Weisawdong falls in Sohra, Meghalaya, on May 23, during his honeymoon. His mutilated body was recovered on June 2. Sonam Raghuvanshi and her alleged lover, Raj Kushwaha, are accused of orchestrating the murder, with the help of three other assailants – Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi. All five are currently in judicial custody in Meghalaya.
The arrests of the property dealer and watchman underscore the ongoing efforts by the Meghalaya SIT to uncover all aspects of the conspiracy and gather crucial evidence. The police are continuing to investigate various angles, including financial motives and the involvement of any other individuals, as the victim’s family seeks answers and justice for Raja Raghuvanshi.