Second Machete Used By Sonam, Her Aides To Kill Husband Found In Meghalaya
A second machete that was used to murder Raja Raghuvanshi was recovered during the recreation of the crime scene with the accused, in Meghalaya on Tuesday, police said.
The second "dao" (machete) was found inside the same gorge, below the Wei Sawdong Parking Lot at Riat Arliang, from where Raja's body and another machete were recovered.
Earlier, police thought Raja was killed with only one "dao" that was recovered from the gorge, along with his mobile phone, earlier this month. However, it was only during the recreation of the crime scene on Tuesday that the police learnt about the second weapon.
The Indore-based businessman was brutally murdered by his newly-wed wife Sonam, her lover Raj Kushwaha, and three hitmen, during the couple's honeymoon in Meghalaya last month. The hitmen were identified as Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi. All the five accused have been arrested.
The hitmen were identified as Vishal Singh Chauhan, Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi. All the five accused have been arrested. Police said Vishal was the first one to attack Raja with a machete.
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On Tuesday, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder took all the accused, including Sonam, to Sohra, around 65 km from Shillong, and recreated the crime scene amid heavy security. Police said Vishal was the first one to attack Raja with a machete. Prior to that, he delivered a fatal blow on the businessman, who instantly started bleeding and began screaming. Sonam then ran away, while Vishal continued to attack Raja with the machete.
The case initially began as that of a "missing couple", after 29-year-old Raja and 24-year-old Sonam could not be traced during their honeymoon in the northeastern state, but took a tragic turn and revealed a shocking betrayal.
The couple - both from Indore - got married on May 11. According to the police, the wedding took place despite Sonam's relationship with Raj, who worked as an accountant at the furniture sheet unit owned by her family. Sonam used to look after the family business.
Also Read | Sonam Raghuvanshi's Cousin Paid Hitmen Hired For Raja's Murder: Police
After their wedding in Indore, Raja and Sonam travelled to Meghalaya for honeymoon. They disappeared on May 23, hours after checking out of a homestay at Nongriat village, 20 km from where Raja's body was found on June 2.
Amid an intense search for "missing" Sonam, she surfaced in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur on June 8 and later surrendered at Nandganj police station. This came hours after Akash, Vishal, and Anand were arrested from Uttar Pradesh and Indore and Sagar towns (in Madhya Pradesh). Raj was arrested later.
Also Read | How Did Raja Raghuvanshi, Sonam Meet Before Marriage? What Family Told NDTV
On June 11, Sonam reportedly confessed to killing her husband. Police said her cousin, Jitendra Raghuvanshi, had cleared the first installment of payment to the three hitmen.
Sonam's brother Govind said his family has snapped all ties with her. He also expressed solidarity with Raja's grieving family members and vowed to help them in their fight for justice in a case which has shocked the nation.
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