Daijiworld Media Network – Shillong

Shillong, Jun 27: In a chilling twist to the murder of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, a Meghalaya police team on Tuesday recovered a country-made pistol, two magazines, and two live .32 calibre rounds from a stream in Indore deepening the trail of premeditated conspiracy involving his wife and her alleged lover.

The breakthrough comes after prime accused Sonam Raghuvanshi and Raj Kushwaha confessed to their affair and role in the crime. East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said, “The firearm recovery confirms the meticulous planning behind the murder. We are gathering every detail to build a watertight case.”

Eight arrests have been made so far, including Sonam, Raj, and three accomplices Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi who are likely to be produced in court on Thursday.

Additionally, flat owner Lokendra Singh Tomar, property dealer Silome James, and security guard Balla Ahirwar of Heera Bagh Colony have been held for destroying evidence. Sonam had reportedly hidden in Tomar’s flat for 10 days after the murder.

James led the police to the weapon and had Rs 50,000 in his car, allegedly taken from a laptop bag belonging to Kushwaha. While the bag was burnt, the laptop remains untraceable.

All eight have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including murder, conspiracy, destruction of evidence, and illegal arms possession.

Raghuvanshi, 29, was on a honeymoon in Sohra (Cherrapunji) after marrying Sonam on May 11. On May 23, he was lured to Wei Sawdong viewpoint and hacked to death with machetes by hired killers. Sonam allegedly returned to the spot after the murder. His decomposed body was found in a gorge near the viewpoint on June 2.