New name in Meghalaya murder probe: Who is Jitendra Raghuvanshi — and did he know about Sonam’s plot?

Sonam Raghuvansji killed her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their homeymoon in Meghalaya.

As the investigation into the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi during his honeymoon in Meghalaya intensifies, a new name has emerged - Jitendra Raghuvanshi. He is allegedly the cousin of the main accused, Sonam Raghuwanshi, and his financial link to the case is now under scrutiny.

According to a report by The New Indian Express, Jitendra’s bank account was allegedly used by Sonam to make an initial payment to the contract killers on May 23. This transaction has led the police to examine his role more closely, though it remains unclear whether he was aware of the murder plot.

Sonam’s brother Govind Raghuvanshi, while speaking to the media on Wednesday, confirmed that Jitendra is their cousin. He further claimed that Sonam’s UPI account was registered in Jitendra’s name, although he did not explain why it wasn’t created under her own name, Hindustan Times reported.

Govind also dismissed speculation about illegal financial transactions, including hawala links, stating that Jitendra is only a junior employee in their family’s business. According to him, Jitendra’s account routinely handles company money and was likely used for convenience.

Govind visited Sonam's in-laws in Indore on Tuesday and consoled the grieving family. He also apologised for his sister’s alleged involvement in the killing of Raja. “I met Sonam in Ghazipur for just two minutes and questioned her intensely. Her reactions were enough to make me realise she had committed the crime,” HT quoted Govind as saying.

Meanwhile, five people have been arrested in connection with the murder, Sonam, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, and three contract killers: Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi. All five were remanded to eight days of police custody on Wednesday.