New Delhi: The enigma surrounding the demise of Indore resident Raja Raghuvanshi and the vanishing of his wife Sonam has deepened following the emergence of CCTV footage. This footage captures the couple a day prior to their disappearance during their honeymoon in Meghalaya.
The video, obtained by T7 News Channel, depicts the couple arriving at a homestay in Shillong on a scooter on May 22, just one day before they lost contact with their families. They are seen unloading their luggage before riding off again.
Captured by a CCTV camera at the homestay, the footage shows Raja and Sonam, both dressed in black jackets, carrying a white suitcase. They appear to be interacting in a normal manner. Raja is then observed entering the premises and conversing with hotel staff while Sonam waits outside, taking off her jacket and adjusting her hair. He subsequently returns, retrieves some items from the suitcase, and hands them to Sonam.
Significantly, the white shirt she is wearing in the footage was later found near Raja’s body.
The same scooter featured in the footage was later discovered abandoned close to the location where Raja’s body was found, according to police officials.
Raja Raghuvanshi (29) was discovered deceased on May 27 in a deep gorge, approximately 20 kilometers from the Shillong homestay. His body was located with the assistance of a drone, not far from where the scooter was abandoned. Authorities also recovered his mobile phone and a machete believed to have been involved in the crime.
“It is a clear case of homicide. The individual was murdered, there is no doubt about that,” stated Vivek Syiem, Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills.
A murder case has been filed, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the matter.
In the meantime, the search for Sonam Raghuvanshi persists and has now entered its third week. Her brother is currently in Shillong to aid in the investigation and ongoing efforts to locate her.
The Meghalaya Police, in collaboration with various agencies such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and a Special Operations Team, are engaged in the search operation. Authorities have recently discovered a black raincoat that seems to have bloodstains near the vicinity, although forensic verification is still pending.
The couple had previously checked into a different homestay in Shillong on May 21, as evidenced by earlier obtained CCTV footage.
