Raja Raghuvanshi murder case: Sonam hid weapon, jewellery at Indore flat; property dealer, security guard arrested for aiding her

Shillong: The Special Investigation Team of the Meghalaya Police have arrested a property dealer and a security guard from Madhya Pradesh in connection with the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, police said on Sunday.

The duo identified as Silome James and Balla Ahirwar were arrested for allegedly removing a “bag” containing a pistol, Rs. five lakh cash and some jewellery from a flat used by Sonam Raghuvanshi and her alleged lover Raj Singh Kushwaha following the murder.

According to police, the flat was initially rented by James for Rs 17,000 per month on behalf of one Vishal. Sonam later moved into the flat after returning to Indore after the murder of her husband Raja Raghuvanshi at the Wei Sawdong parking lot in Sohra on May 23.

James and Ahirwar would be brought to Meghalaya’s capital Shillong for further interrogation in the case. The two will be produced at the local court at Indore for the transit remand, police said.

James is a property dealer and lessee of the building at Heera Bagh Colony, Indore and was apprehended from Bhonrasa toll gate, Dewas district in Madhya Pradesh at about 7.30 pm Saturday night while trying to flee to Bhopal.

“James was first brought to Indore and he led the SIT from Meghalaya to a burnt box. Charred remains of the box is there but no signs of jewellery, laptop or firearm which may have been taken away by them,” Vivek Syiem, the district police chief of East Khasi Hills, said.

Ahirwar was arrested at 2 am Sunday morning by a splinter team of SIT, from Ashok Nagar district, Madhya Pradesh after fleeing to his native village, he said.

The laptop and the other items could prove as crucial evidence against all the five accused – Sonam Raghuvanshi, Raj Kushwaha, Akash, Vishal and Anand Kumri - who are currently in judicial custody for allegedly murdering Raja Raghuvanshi at Sohra on May 23.

A forensic team, meanwhile, is examining the remains of the box.

On Saturday, a local court in Meghalaya sent Sonam and Raj Singh Kushwaha to 13 days judicial custody after ten days of police custody.

The three other accused - Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan and Anand Kurmi- were sent to 14 days judicial custody on June 19.

Sonam and Raj allegedly plotted the murder of Raja just few days after her wedding with him on May 11 in Indore.

The crime scene was recreated on June 17. Police have also seized the second murder weapon that was used for the murder of the Indore-based buisnessman.