Daijiworld Media Network - Shillong

Shillong, Jun 12: In a disturbing revelation that has shocked the region, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem on Thursday disclosed the chilling details behind the murder of Raja Raghuwanshi. According to the police, the murder was not a random act of violence or a contract killing, but a meticulously planned crime orchestrated by Raj Kushwaha, the alleged lover of Raja’s wife, Sonam Raghuwanshi.

SP Syiem said Raj masterminded the murder and Sonam played an active role in supporting the conspiracy. Investigations uncovered that Raj had earlier devised multiple failed plans to eliminate Sonam herself — one involving drowning her in a river, and another using a dead body and her scooty to fake her death. Both plans fell through. Eventually, Raj redirected his focus to Raja after Sonam married him on May 11.

Just days after the wedding, the couple visited Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. Meanwhile, Raj’s associates — Vishal, Anand, and Akash, one of whom is his cousin — arrived in Guwahati on May 19. They initially intended to kill Raja in Guwahati, but that attempt failed. Later, Sonam suggested carrying out the plan in Sohra (Cherrapunji).

In Sohra, all the accused met in a parking lot, where the trio murdered Raja and disposed of his body by throwing it into a gorge. Sonam was present during the entire incident. Around 2:18 PM on the day of the murder, the group fled the scene. Sonam handed her raincoat to Akash to help cover the bloodstains on his shirt, and then rode away on a scooty, later discarding the raincoat. Akash followed, riding the scooty with Sonam as pillion. The scooty, which had been rented earlier by Raja, was later abandoned by Anand near the Sohra border.

The investigation revealed crucial evidence, including bloodstains on Akash’s shirt. Sonam, after discarding the raincoat, used a taxi and wore a burqa arranged by Vishal through Raj to conceal her identity. Her escape spanned several cities — from Guwahati to Siliguri by bus, then Patna, Ara, Lucknow, and eventually Indore. Once the group realised the police were closing in, Raj told Sonam to flee Indore and fabricate a story that she had escaped from kidnappers.

All five individuals — Raj, Sonam, Akash, Vishal, and Anand — have now been arrested. Interrogations are underway and the police plan to recreate the crime scene soon. SP Syiem said the investigation has exposed a case of calculated betrayal, manipulation, and violence carried out under the pretense of love and loyalty.