HONEYMOON MURDER CASE
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 29: The District and Sessions Court, Shillong, has framed charges against the five prime accused in the sensational case of Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder at Sohra on May 23.
The legal counsel for the victim’s family, Sujit Dey, confirmed that the charges were framed against Sonam Raghuvanshi, Raj Kushwaha, Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi on Tuesday.
The charges were framed under Sections 103(1) (murder), 238 (a) (disappearance of evidence) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.
According to police, Indore-based Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam travelled to Shillong on May 21 before heading to Sohra.
On May 26, the couple was reported missing, prompting a massive search operation by Sohra police, the Special Operations Team, NDRF, SDRF, trekking groups and locals.
After days of intensive search, the body of Raja was recovered on June 2 from a deep gorge near Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra. A case was registered at Sohra Police Station in this regard.
Investigators found that Sonam was in a relationship with Raj Kushwaha.
The duo, along with three hired assailants, allegedly conspired to eliminate Raghuvanshi during their honeymoon.
The killing was carried out by the three hitmen in Sonam’s presence, police said.
Within a week of the probe, the five accused, including Sonam, were arrested.
Police submitted a 790-page chargesheet before the court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Sohra Sub-Division, on September 5.
During the framing of charges on Tuesday, the court observed that, prima facie, there is sufficient evidence to proceed against the five accused.
The defence, however, maintained that the accused were innocent.
The trial is expected to begin shortly.
Meanwhile, the police said they are preparing to file a second charge sheet against the remaining three accused – Silome James, Lokendra Singh Tomar and Balbir Ahirwar. They were arrested for their alleged role in destroying evidence and are currently out on bail. (With PTI inputs)
