Raja Raghuvanshi murder: Sonam declared mentally fit as police prepare crime scene re-enactment

Raja and Sonam, both from Indore, were honeymooning in Sohra last month when he was murdered. The case has drawn significant attention, with police yet to disclose a clear motive.

Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused in the murder of her husband, Raja, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, has been declared mentally sound following a psychiatric evaluation, police sources confirmed. The assessment was conducted at the Meghalaya Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences on Monday, TOI reported.

Meanwhile, in Indore, Raja’s family held a private tehrvi (13th-day death ritual) with only close relatives in attendance. His brother, Sachin, revealed that the family had prepared Raja’s favourite dishes, including gulab jamun, Manchurian, noodles and dry fruits, as part of the mourning rites.

“We are not organising it like a typical tehrvi for a natural death; only family members are participating,” Sachin was quoted by TOI. The grieving family remains haunted by the circumstances of Raja’s killing. “The same question keeps coming to our minds: why did Sonam get her husband murdered just days after their wedding?” he said, questioning if others beyond the five arrested were involved. The family has demanded a narco analysis test for all accused.

Shillong police have called Sonam’s brother, Govind, for questioning. “They said I need to give a statement and sign it,” he said, quoted TOI. Investigators are also preparing to take Sonam and the four other accused - all from outside Meghalaya - to Sohra on Tuesday to recreate the crime scene.

The suspects were initially granted eight-day police remand on June 11 and authorities are likely to seek an extension as the probe continues.

Raja and Sonam, both from Indore, were honeymooning in Sohra last month when he was murdered. The case has drawn significant attention, with police yet to disclose a clear motive.