Two men earlier arrested on suspicion of tampering with evidence in the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi in Meghalaya’s Sohra area have been excluded from a fresh chargesheet after investigators failed to substantiate the allegations against them, police confirmed on February 3.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said Balbir Ahirbar and Lokendra Singh Tomar were initially taken into custody based on suspicion that they had attempted to destroy evidence connected to the case. However, a detailed investigation did not establish any involvement on their part. Both individuals are currently out on bail.
“The arrests were made on suspicion, but the investigation did not support the allegations. The final report found that they had no role whatsoever, which led to their dismissal from the case, and hence their names were not included in the chargesheet,” Syiem said.
Police have now submitted a second chargesheet, naming only one of the three individuals previously arrested for alleged evidence tampering. The case is expected to be taken up by the court in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the prime accused, Raja Raghuvanshi’s wife Sonam Raghuvanshi, remains in judicial custody. Her bail plea was recently rejected by the court, officials said.
Raja Raghuvanshi, a businessman from Madhya Pradesh, was murdered in May last year while visiting Meghalaya. His decomposed body was recovered from a deep gorge near the popular Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra on June 2 following an extensive search operation.
Investigators had earlier stated that Raja and Sonam, who were newly married, were on a honeymoon-cum-holiday trip to the state. Sonam was later accused of orchestrating the murder and fleeing Meghalaya. Police have cited a suspected love triangle and financial disputes as the motive behind the crime, alleging attempts were made to destroy evidence and conceal the killing.
