Family members of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, who was killed during his honeymoon in Meghalaya in 2025, on Friday reiterated their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder. The call was renewed after the Supreme Court declined to stay the Meghalaya High Court order that upheld the bail granted to Raja’s widow, Sonam Raghuvanshi, the main accused in the case.
Family Seeks Central Agency Intervention
Raja’s elder brother, Vipin Raghuvanshi, stated, “An order for a CBI investigation is immediately issued upon the death of a child of an influential person, but although it has been more than a year since my brother Raja was murdered, the government has not yet ordered a CBI investigation into the case.” He emphasized that the family has long demanded a CBI probe, arguing that it is necessary for a proper investigation.
Vipin, who has previously criticized the prosecution’s handling of the case, claimed that if the CBI had been entrusted with the investigation from the outset, the main accused, Sonam, would not have been able to exploit legal lapses by the current investigating agency—the Meghalaya Police—in court.
Bail Controversy and Legal Proceedings
On June 29, the Meghalaya High Court dismissed the state government’s petition seeking cancellation of Sonam’s bail, which had been granted by a lower court on April 27. The high court cited serious errors by the Meghalaya police in informing Sonam of the grounds for her arrest and upheld the lower court’s order. The Meghalaya government has since challenged the high court’s ruling in the Supreme Court.
Sonam, a resident of Indore, is currently residing in Shillong as per the lower court’s bail conditions. Vipin reiterated his family’s fears that Sonam could tamper with evidence or influence witnesses if she remains out on bail for a prolonged period. “My family has full faith in the judiciary. We are hopeful of getting justice,” he said.
Background of the Case
Officials said Sonam was arrested on June 9, 2025, from Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh on charges of conspiracy to murder her husband Raja Raghuvanshi. She remained in judicial custody at Shillong District Jail for more than 10 months before being released on bail. Raja’s family runs a transport business in Indore. Raja and Sonam went missing in Meghalaya during their honeymoon in 2025. Raja’s body was later discovered in a deep gorge near a waterfall in the Sohra area (Cherrapunji) of East Khasi Hills district.
The Meghalaya police have alleged that Sonam, along with her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha and three hired killers, conspired to murder Raja to eliminate him.
