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The investigation into the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, a businessman killed during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, has taken a significant turn with the emergence of new evidence suggesting a motive beyond a simple love triangle. Initially, the focus was on Sonam Raghuvanshi, Raja's wife, and her alleged boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, as the primary suspects. However, police have uncovered a series of phone calls between Sonam and a mysterious individual named Sanjay Verma, which has opened up new avenues of inquiry and deepened the complexity of the case. The phone records reveal over 200 calls between Sonam and the number registered under the name Sanjay Verma in the months leading up to the murder. These calls, often occurring in the early morning or late at night, raised suspicion and prompted police to investigate the identity of Sanjay Verma. The investigation revealed that the existence of Sanjay Verma is highly questionable and police believe the number may have been used by Raj Kushwaha, Sonam’s alleged boyfriend, to communicate with her. This adds another layer of deception to the crime. This discovery prompted the police to broaden their investigation beyond a love affair and explore the possibility of financial motives. They learned that Raja had recently secured a substantial contract, which could have made him a target for someone seeking financial gain. The police are now investigating whether someone stood to benefit from Raja's death and whether this could be the primary motive for the murder. The East Khasi Hills SP, Vivek Syiem, emphasized that they are looking at more than just a love affair, indicating the importance of the financial angle in their investigation. The police recreated the crime scene at Riat Arliang parking lot near Weisawdong Falls, where the murder took place. This reconstruction allowed them to understand the sequence of events and the roles played by each of the accused. A fireman was used to represent Raja, while the accused demonstrated how they committed the crime. The reenactment revealed that Vishal Chauhan was the first to attack Raja, followed by Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi. Sonam positioned herself in front of Raja during the attack, and when his blood splattered on her white shirt, she ran away. The accused then threw Raja's body into a gorge, with two men holding his arms and another holding his legs. While Sonam did not participate in disposing of the body, she damaged his phone before the others destroyed it, indicating her involvement in the cover-up. The accused also revealed the existence of a second murder weapon – a machete with a steel handle purchased in Guwahati. The police recovered the machete from the gorge, further corroborating the accused's statements and strengthening the case against them. A white shirt found at the crime scene was confirmed to belong to Akash, linking him directly to the murder. Additionally, a tourist had filmed a short video of Raja and Sonam trekking together near the Double Decker Bridge, which is likely the last footage of Raja alive. The police plan to speak with the tourist to gather more information about their interactions and any observations they may have made. A police team from Meghalaya visited Sonam and Raj Kushwaha's homes in Indore to question their family members and staff at the family business. Sonam’s brother, Govind Raghuvanshi, claimed that he was unaware of Sanjay Verma and expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation. Kushwaha’s mother, Chunni Devi, stated that she had no knowledge of her son’s involvement in the murder. The investigation is ongoing, and the police are diligently working to uncover the full truth behind Raja Raghuvanshi's murder. The focus has shifted beyond the initial assumption of a love triangle to explore the possibility of financial motives and other potential factors that may have contributed to the crime.
The meticulous nature of the investigation is evident in the attention to detail shown by the police. The recreation of the crime scene, the recovery of the murder weapon, the analysis of phone records, and the questioning of family members all point towards a comprehensive effort to gather all available evidence and build a strong case against the accused. The discovery of the second murder weapon, the machete, is a crucial piece of evidence that strengthens the prosecution's case. It corroborates the testimonies of the accused and provides further proof of their involvement in the crime. The analysis of the white shirt found at the crime scene, which was confirmed to belong to Akash, further links him to the murder and reinforces the evidence against him. The video footage of Raja and Sonam trekking together, captured by a tourist, provides a glimpse into the victim's final moments and could potentially offer valuable insights into their relationship and any possible tensions that may have existed between them. The police's decision to interview the tourist demonstrates their commitment to gathering all possible information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to piece together the complete picture of the events leading up to the murder. The questioning of Sonam and Raj Kushwaha's family members in Indore is a standard investigative procedure aimed at gathering information about their backgrounds, relationships, and any potential motives they may have had. While Sonam's brother claimed ignorance of Sanjay Verma, his willingness to cooperate with the investigation suggests a desire to uncover the truth. Kushwaha's mother's denial of her son's involvement is not unexpected, but her testimony may still provide valuable insights into his character and behavior. The fact that the police are considering financial motives in addition to the love triangle adds a significant layer of complexity to the case. The information about Raja's recent contract win suggests that he may have been a target for someone seeking financial gain. The police are now investigating whether any individuals or entities stood to benefit from his death and whether this could have been the primary motive for the murder. This aspect of the investigation will likely involve examining Raja's financial affairs, business dealings, and any potential disputes or conflicts he may have had. The police's commitment to exploring all possible avenues of investigation demonstrates their determination to uncover the complete truth and bring all those responsible for Raja Raghuvanshi's murder to justice.
The evolving nature of the investigation highlights the importance of not jumping to conclusions and remaining open to new evidence and possibilities. Initially, the focus was solely on the love triangle, but the discovery of the phone calls and the potential financial motives have significantly broadened the scope of the investigation. The police's willingness to adapt their strategy and pursue new leads is a testament to their professionalism and dedication to solving the case. The use of a fireman to represent Raja during the crime scene reenactment is a practical and effective way to simulate the events of the murder and gain a better understanding of the roles played by each of the accused. This technique allows the police to visualize the crime and identify any inconsistencies or gaps in the testimonies of the accused. The recovery of the second murder weapon, the machete, is a significant breakthrough in the investigation. It provides further evidence of the premeditation and brutality of the crime. The fact that the accused took the time to purchase a separate weapon in Guwahati suggests that they had planned the murder in advance and were determined to carry it out. The destruction of Raja's phone by Sonam is another indication of her involvement in the cover-up. By damaging the phone, she attempted to erase any evidence that could link her to the crime or reveal her communication with Raj Kushwaha or the mysterious Sanjay Verma. The ongoing investigation is a complex and multifaceted undertaking that requires the police to carefully analyze all available evidence, pursue all possible leads, and remain open to new information. The commitment of the Meghalaya police to solving this case is evident in their thoroughness and attention to detail. They are determined to uncover the full truth behind Raja Raghuvanshi's murder and bring all those responsible to justice, regardless of their social status or connections. The cooperation of the Indore police in assisting with the investigation is also crucial, as they are familiar with the backgrounds of Sonam and Raj Kushwaha and can provide valuable insights into their motives and relationships. The combined efforts of the two police forces will be essential to ensuring that justice is served in this case.
Source: Who is Sanjay Verma? 200 calls by Sonam spark new twist in Raja Raghuvanshi murder