Raja Raghuvanshi Case: Who Are The 4 Accused Arrested In Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder Saga?

As further grisly revelations emerge in the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case, police officials have confirmed that four individuals have now been arrested in connection with the killing of Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi.

His wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, has also been taken into custody on suspicion of orchestrating the crime.

Vivek Syiem, Superintendent of Police for East Khasi Hills, stated that three suspects were apprehended in and around Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The arrested individuals have been named as Raj Kushwaha, Vishal Chauhan, and Akash Rajput.

A fourth suspect, Anand Patel from Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh, has also been detained. Both Indore and Shillong Police have verified the arrests.

"The first person arrested is a 19-year-old Akash Rajput, from Lalitpur. The second accused is Vishal Singh Chauhan, 22, from Indore, the third is 21-year-old Raj Singh Kushwaha, from Indore," SP Syiem confirmed on Monday afternoon.

According to Indore Additional DCP (Crime), Rajesh Dandotiya, "Raj Kushwaha, Vishal Chauhan and Akash Rajput were detained from Indore and a nearby area."

He added, "This afternoon, we arrested another accused from the Sagar district. One person has been detained in the Nandgarh police station... The third team is on its way to arrest Sonam Raghuvanshi... These people committed the crime on May 23 and left soon after."

SP Syiem further elaborated, "At that time, we didn't know it was a murder; we were looking for them. We looked for missing reports, and nobody was found. The body was found only on June 2, after which an SIT was formed and the investigation started... Within these seven days, the SIT has accumulated substantial evidence and gone down there and has zeroed down on the culprits... If we connect the dots, preliminary investigation will reveal how this whole motive and crime was carried out. It was actually Raj Kushwaha with Sonam. When they come here, we will finally be able to confirm... All these days, Sonam and others were underground, and yesterday, when our operation started, suddenly she surfaced."

Meghalaya Police also confirmed that Sonam voluntarily surrendered to police in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh.

The fourth suspect, Anand Patel, was tracked down in Basari. "The accused has been caught after a joint operation and Meghalaya Police has taken him for further investigation... He is a resident of Indore," ASP Lokesh Sinha told news agency ANI.

What is the case about?

Newlyweds Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi had travelled to Meghalaya for their honeymoon. They remained in contact with family members until 23 May, after which communication ceased. Concerned, the family reached out to Indore Police.

The couple was officially declared missing on 23 May. CCTV footage from their Shillong homestay showed them together, both dressed in black jackets and carrying a white suitcase.

On 2 June, Raja Raghuvanshi's body was discovered and identified in Meghalaya. A murder case was subsequently registered. Police also recovered a bloodstained machete near the body at Weisawdong Falls.