Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case: Key Accused in Police Custody
Court Orders Custody for Key Suspects
On Thursday, the District Sessions Court in Shillong ordered a two-day police custody for Sonam Raghuvanshi and Raj Kushwaha, while three other suspects—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand—were remanded to 14 days of judicial custody in relation to the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi.
Advocate Tushar Chanda confirmed, “Sonam Raghuvanshi and Raj Kushwaha will be in police custody for two days, while the other three have been placed in judicial custody for 14 days.”
#WATCH | Meghalaya: The District Sessions Court of Shillong sent Sonam Raghuvanshi and Raj Kushwaha to 2-day police custody, and the other 3 accused – Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan and Anand to 14-day judicial custody in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case
— Media Channel (@MediaChannel) June 19, 2025
Advocate Tushar… pic.twitter.com/yvkWj2FCaa
Police Investigation Updates
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem addressed the media, stating, “We requested a two-day police remand as our team is currently in Indore. We need to gather more information. As we receive additional details, we can interrogate these individuals further. If necessary, we will seek additional custody. The others have been sent to judicial custody, but after we finish with Sonam and Raj, we may return to the remaining three suspects for further police custody.”
Syiem also mentioned that the murder weapon, which is rusted, is being sent to central forensics to check for any bloodstains. “We aim to file the chargesheet within 90 days,” he added.
#WATCH | Shillong, Meghalaya: On Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem says, “The murder weapon is rusted, we are sending it to the central forensics for ascertaining whether any bloodstains are present on it…We will try to make the chargesheet before… pic.twitter.com/SAeob4dDng
— Media Channel (@MediaChannel) June 19, 2025
Background of the Case
The Meghalaya Police have apprehended five individuals in connection with the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, who was on his honeymoon in the state. Among those arrested is his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, along with Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, Raj Singh Kushwaha, and Anand. Raja's body was discovered in a gorge near Sohra (Cherrapunji) on June 2, while Sonam was located near a roadside dhaba along the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway. The couple, originally from Indore in Madhya Pradesh, had gone missing during their honeymoon.