From Indore to the Hills of Cherrapunji: With the arrest of a property dealer and a security guard, investigators close in on the network behind one of India’s most sensational murder cases.
BY PC Bureau
June 22, 2025 – The Meghalaya Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested two additional suspects in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday, advancing the investigation into the brutal murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi. The detainees, identified as property dealer Shilom James and a security guard from an apartment complex linked to the crime, bring the total number of arrests to seven in a case that has gripped the nation. Superintendent of Police (East Khasi Hills) Vivek Syiem confirmed the arrests, emphasizing the SIT’s commitment to uncovering the full scope of the conspiracy.
Raja Raghuvanshi, a 29-year-old transport businessman, was killed during his honeymoon in Meghalaya’s Sohra (Cherrapunji) area in May 2025. Married to Sonam Raghuvanshi on May 11, the couple arrived in Meghalaya on May 20. They went missing on May 23 after checking out of a homestay in Nongriat village, East Khasi Hills. Raja’s decomposed body was discovered on June 2 in a 200-foot gorge near Weisawdong Falls, with an autopsy revealing fatal head injuries from a sharp weapon. The SIT, formed to probe the murder, has uncovered a chilling plot allegedly orchestrated by Sonam and her lover, Raj Kushwaha, involving hired hitmen.
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The latest arrests focus on Shilom James, accused of renting a flat to Vishal Singh Chauhan, one of the main suspects, where Sonam resided after returning from Meghalaya. CCTV footage allegedly shows James removing a bag belonging to Sonam from the flat after earlier arrests, raising suspicions of evidence tampering. The security guard, whose identity remains undisclosed, is believed to possess critical information about activities at the apartment complex, potentially shedding light on the murder’s aftermath. Both suspects are being transported to Shillong, with an expected arrival by Sunday evening, where they will face a judge for remand.
Prior arrests include Sonam Raghuvanshi, who surrendered in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, on June 9, and is accused of masterminding the murder with Kushwaha, an employee at her family’s plywood factory in Indore. Authorities allege Sonam paid ₹15 lakh to hire hitmen, including Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi, all arrested in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The SIT claims Sonam signaled the attack near Weisawdong Falls, where Raja was struck with machetes and his body dumped. A bloodstained machete was recovered on June 2, with a second found during a crime scene reconstruction on June 17.
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The investigation spans three states, with the SIT probing a possible financial motive alongside the confirmed love triangle. Raja’s missing gold ring and chain, valued at over ₹10 lakh, remain unrecovered. The SIT visited Sonam’s family’s factory and residence in Indore on June 18 to explore additional leads. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma praised the SIT’s swift progress, while Minister Alexander Laloo Hek condemned attempts to tarnish the state’s image. Sonam’s father, Devi Singh, has called for a CBI probe, alleging his daughter was abducted and denying the charges.
Raja’s family, devastated by the loss, has demanded the death penalty. His brother, Vipul, and mother, Uma, noted Raja’s reluctance to travel to Meghalaya and the absence of return tickets, fueling their suspicions about Sonam’s intentions. As the SIT prepares for judicial proceedings, the arrests of James and the security guard underscore its relentless pursuit of justice. The public is urged to refrain from speculation as the investigation continues to unravel this complex conspiracy.
