Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case: Accused Raj Kushwaha Drove Mourners To Victim’s Funeral, Says Eyewitness

Raj Kushwaha, one of the accused arrested in connection with the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi in Meghalaya-and alleged to be the lover of the victim's wife, Sonam Kushwaha-reportedly drove one of the vehicles used to transport mourners to Raghuvanshi's funeral, according to an eyewitness account.

The investigation into the murder took a dramatic turn on Monday as police made several arrests. Among those taken into custody is Raja's wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, whom Meghalaya Police have accused of masterminding her husband's killing.

Photo Credit: PTI

Lakshman Singh Rathore, who attended Raja Raghuvanshi's funeral, told PTI that Raj Kushwaha had been behind the wheel of a vehicle arranged by Sonam's family.

"When Raja's body arrived here, Sonam's family, whose home is in Govind Nagar Kharcha area, had arranged four-five vehicles for people to attend the funeral.

Kushwaha was driving the four-wheeler in which I went, though we did not talk. Only after seeing his photograph in the media post his arrest, I recollected this episode," he said.

Timeline

Sonam and Raja were married on 11 May and travelled to Meghalaya for their honeymoon shortly thereafter.

The couple went missing on 23 May, prompting an extensive search operation. On 2 June, Raja's body was discovered in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls in the East Khasi Hills district.

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem stated at a press briefing in Shillong that three men have been arrested in connection with the murder.

"The first person arrested was Rajput from Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh. The second was Chauhan from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The third was Kushwaha, also from Indore," he said.

Sonam was apprehended on Monday at a roadside eatery in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. She allegedly tried to mislead authorities by claiming she had been drugged and brought there against her will. Police believe she conspired with Kushwaha to carry out the murder.

"Kushwaha was in contact with the killers for some weeks," said an Indore police officer familiar with the interrogation of Raj Kushwaha and Chauhan.

According to the officer, the three hired assailants departed from Indore for Meghalaya on 17 May, carrying ₹50,000 and a mobile phone supplied by Kushwaha. Once in Meghalaya, they allegedly selected a remote location to murder Raghuvanshi and dispose of his body.

Sonam's family has denied the allegations and demanded a CBI investigation into the case.

(With PTI inputs)