Raja Raghuvanshi murder case: Second machete found as SIT recreates crime scene in Meghalaya’s Sohra

Raghuvanshi was hacked to death on May 23 while on his honeymoon with Sonam. (File image)

Meghalaya Police have recovered a second machete believed to have been used in the brutal killing of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, whose body was found dumped in a gorge in Sohra last month. The discovery came as investigators recreated the crime scene with the accused, including Raghuvanshi’s wife, Sonam, present, News18 reported.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) took the accused to the crime spot near Weisawdong Falls, around 65 km from Shillong, under heavy security. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed the recovery, stating, “We have conducted a crime scene recreation, during which the accused reenacted their actions. This has given us a clearer picture of what transpired. The second machete used in the murder has also been recovered by the SDRF.”

VIDEO | Sohra, Meghalaya: East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem shares an update on the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case:We have conducted a crime scene recreation, during which the accused reenacted their actions. This has given us a clearer picture of what transpired. The second pic.twitter.com/FmkOZLEhpZ
Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 17, 2025

Raghuvanshi was hacked to death on May 23 while on his honeymoon with Sonam. Police allege three hitmen - Vishal, Anand and Akash - carried out the murder at the behest of Sonam’s boyfriend, Raj Kushwaha, who is also in custody. While Raja's decomposed body was found in a gorge near the Weisawdong Falls on June 2, Sonam emerged in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur in the early hours of June 9 and surrendered.

Meanwhile, a Meghalaya Police team visited Indore to probe Sonam’ suspected hideout in the Dewas Naka area. A local police official was quoted by PTI as saying, “We have received information that after Raghuvanshi’s murder, his wife Sonam was hiding in this flat for a few days. She later went to Uttar Pradesh, where she was arrested.”

Investigators also questioned Raghuvanshi’s family in Indore’s Sahakarnagar area. SP Syiem added, “Our team is in Indore and questioning a few people. They are trying to find out if somebody has to gain from Raja’s death.”

All five accused, including Sonam Raghuvanshi, are currently in Meghalaya Police's custody. Raj Kushwaha, Sonam's lover, has been identified as the mastermind behind the murder.