Police also seized ₹50,000 and uncovered a burnt bag suspected to contain critical digital and physical evidence tied to the alleged murder plot.
BY PC Bureau
June 26 — The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Meghalaya Police, in a major breakthrough on Wednesday afternoon, recovered a country-made pistol, two magazines, and two live .32 caliber rounds from a stream in Indore. The recovery, crucial to the high-profile Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, was made based on information provided by one of the arrested suspects, property dealer Silome James.
Speaking to reporters, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed that the weapon cache was discovered during an intensive search operation following James’s interrogation. The SIT believes the firearm may have been used in the conspiracy or events surrounding the murder.
In a related recovery, police also seized ₹50,000 in cash from a Hyundai i10 car (MP09 WG 2352) owned by James. During questioning, he admitted to having taken the cash and a laptop from a bag belonging to Raj Kushwaha, a co-accused in the murder. The primary accused in the case includes Sonam Raghuvanshi, the widow of the deceased, and Raj Kushwaha, who is believed to have been her accomplice.
According to SP Syiem, the bag that James looted was later burnt in an attempt to destroy evidence. Earlier, the SIT had recovered the charred remains of this bag from a vacant plot in Hare Krishna Vihar Colony, located near MR3 Road in Indore. While investigators have recovered partial remnants, they are still searching for the laptop, which James claims was discarded by the roadside.
14. Meghalaya Police say Sonam Raghuvanshi & Raj Kushwaha confessed to a relationship and plotting her husband’s murder during their honeymoon. Raj allegedly hired 3 killers. All in 13-day custody. #Meghalaya #CrimeNews #HoneymoonMurder #SonamRaghuvanshi pic.twitter.com/K9JIi3d2Q3
— Ritam English (@english_ritam) June 25, 2025
Investigators suspect the bag originally contained crucial digital and physical evidence, including mobile phones and gold jewelry belonging to Raj Kushwaha. The bag, according to the police, was likely brought back to Indore by Sonam shortly after the murder, which reportedly took place in Meghalaya.
The police are building a timeline of events to determine when and how the bag was destroyed and whether more people were involved in tampering with evidence.
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Three Arrested in Evidence Destruction Attempt
In addition to James, the SIT recently arrested two more individuals:
Balbir Ahirbar alias “Ballu”, a private security guard,
Lokendra Singh Tomar, landlord of the Indore flat where Sonam is believed to have hidden after the murder.
Both men are being investigated for allegedly aiding Sonam in evading arrest and attempting to destroy evidence related to the case.
Meghalaya Police have already secured a seven-day transit remand for James and Ballu, while Lokendra Singh Tomar has been granted a three-day remand, allowing investigators to transport them to Shillong for further interrogation.
The Murder and the Fallout
The case has drawn public attention for its web of deception and interstate crime. Raja Raghuvanshi, whose body was discovered in Shillong under suspicious circumstances, was allegedly murdered in a plot orchestrated by his wife Sonam and accomplice Raj Kushwaha. Investigators believe the motive may involve financial disputes and a romantic relationship between Sonam and Raj.
The Meghalaya Police, working closely with Madhya Pradesh authorities, are now tracing digital footprints, recovering evidence from multiple locations, and tightening the noose around all those involved.
With the recovery of the weapon and the fresh disclosures from James, police are hopeful that the case may soon reach a critical turning point.
