Poonam Nath

Indore property dealer arrested for hiding evidence in Raja's murder in Meghalaya

Digital Desk: In the ongoing investigation into Raja Raghuvanshi's murder, the Meghalaya Police have arrested an Indore-based property trader for allegedly concealing critical evidence.

According to police sources, the accused helped Raghuvanshi's wife, Sonam, by concealing her bag at a flat shortly after the incident. The bag is thought to contain key evidence related to the case, and its concealment is being considered as a purposeful attempt to hamper the inquiry.

Raghuvanshi, an Indore-based transport businessman, married Sonam on May 11, and the pair traveled for their honeymoon in Meghalaya on May 20.

"A property entrepreneur from Indore named Shilom James has been arrested by the Meghalaya police for allegedly concealing evidence in the murder case of Raja Raghuvanshi," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotiya told PTI.

James is charged with hiding Sonam's suitcase at an apartment in the Dewas Naka neighborhood of Indore following the murder. According to sources, the bag may have included important evidence connected to the murder.

They said that James, who owns a property management company in Indore, rented out the apartment to murder co-accused Vishal Chauhan.

James informed reporters on June 13 that Chauhan had come to him on May 30 and signed a formal agreement to rent the apartment for Rs 17,000 a month.

According to sources, when the Meghalaya police later searched the flat, it was found to be deserted.

Sonam is thought to have stayed in the flat for several days after returning from Meghalaya before surrendering to authorities in Uttar Pradesh on June 8, according to sources.

Sonam, her claimed lover Raj Kushwaha, and the latter's three pals Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi had all been arrested in connection with the murder by Meghalaya police.

The five are currently in judicial custody and being held in a Meghalaya jail.

A Meghalaya police Special Investigation Team (SIT) is conducting an in-depth investigation into the case.