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The mystery of what happened to the newlywed couple from Madhya Pradesh continues to confound investigators. (File Photo)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to initiate a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the murder of an Indore-based newly-wed man Raja Raghuvanshi in Meghalaya, saying that “every possible effort” was made to trace his missing wife Sonam.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav wrote in his X account: “In this hour of crisis, Madhya Pradesh stands with Mrs. Sonam Raghuvanshi and her family. I have discussed this matter with the Chief Minister of Meghalaya. Senior police officers from Madhya Pradesh are in constant contact with Meghalaya officials. I have requested the Honorable Union Home Minister, Shri @AmitShah ji, to order a CBI investigation in this case. Every possible effort is being made for the safe return of Mrs. Sonam Raghuvanshi.”
The mystery of what happened to the newlywed couple Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam Raghuvanshi from Madhya Pradesh’s Indore who had travelled to Meghalaya for their honeymoon on May 20 — nine days after their wedding — continues to confound investigators. The couple had checked out of the Shillong hotel on May 23 and travelled to an area near Cherrapunji. They last talked to their family that afternoon.
Raja’s body was found with wounds inflicted by a Dao (machete) while Sonam has yet to be found. A Special Investigation Team was formed to look into the incident, although police have yet to make any arrests.
The search operation for Sonam has also run into difficulties posed by tough terrain, dense forests and unrelenting rains, which have resulted in the rescue teams managing to work for a few hours before calling it a day.
A new CCTV footage released Saturday shows Raja and Sonam arriving at a homestay in Shillong on a scooter to drop off their luggage before riding off again. The video, which is four minutes long, shows Raja and Sonam arriving at the homestay with a white suitcase and wearing black jackets.
The video shows the couple interacting with each other before Raja goes inside to talk to the staff at the registration desk. Sonam is seen taking off her jacket and fixing her hair. Moments later, Raja comes out, takes a few things out of the suitcase, and hands them over to Sonam.
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The white shirt Sonam is seen wearing in the CCTV footage was later found near Raja’s body.
Meanwhile, as Sonam’s brother Gaurav waits anxiously for news of his sister, he says he’s “relieved” at the MP government decision to seek a CBI probe. Gaurav has been in Shillong for the last few days as the police continue to look for his sister.
“I have been with the police and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for days now and there is no headway in the case. Even the new CCTV footage we had traced and leaked to the media. The police are not able to crack the case,” Gaurav told The Indian Express.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem did not respond to calls or messages.
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