'Not Talking Only About Love Angle': Meghalaya Govt Says Raghuvanshi Murder Probe In 'Crucial Phase'

Last Updated:June 24, 2025, 21:36 IST

Meghalaya Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong said in the last 48 hours, police have arrested three persons from Madhya Pradesh – a flat owner, a property dealer, and a security guard

Family members of Raja Raghuvanshi, who was allegedly murdered during his honeymoon in Meghalaya, cut out the picture of his wife Sonam from a poster of their wedding after she was accused of plotting his murder. (Image: PTI/File)

The police are looking into angles other than a “love affair" in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case as the investigation has now entered a “crucial phase" with the arrest of three more accused, said the Meghalaya government on Tuesday.

In the last 48 hours, the Meghalaya police have arrested three persons from Madhya Pradesh – a flat owner in Indore, a property dealer, and a security guard, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told NDTV. 

“Yes, the investigation is still on. As you are aware, the court has granted judicial custody to all five accused persons. The investigation is ongoing, so let us wait and see," Tynsong, who also holds the home department portfolio, was quoted.

Investigators have so far arrested eight persons in the murder case of Indore businessman Raja Raghuvanshi, who was on a honeymoon in Meghalaya with his wife Sonam. Asked about the motive behind the murder and if the love angle still holds, Tynsong said the police are yet to come to a conclusion.

“We have yet to come to any conclusion. Let us see from all angles. I’m not talking only about the love angle, but even beyond that. Right now, I can’t say anything. Let the investigation be completed, and once that is done, the truth will come out," he was quoted.

The latest arrest is that of Lokendra Singh Tomar, the owner of a flat in Indore where Sonam allegedly stayed after fleeing Meghalaya following Raja’s murder. She allegedly travelled through Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh before reaching Indore. She is accused of conspiring with her boyfriend to kill her husband.

NDTV reported that Tynsong said Tomar is the owner of the same flat where Sonam stayed between May 25 and June 7.

“Yes, he’s one of them. Three of them are there. Of course, I don’t have all the details, but they will be brought to Shillong for further investigation because it has been found that they are linked to the killing of Raja," he was quoted. 

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

According to the police, Tomar was detained from a flat in Gandhi Nagar area of Gwalior on Monday (June 23) after the DCP (Crime) of Indore requested the SP of Gwalior.

He was kept at Mohana police station overnight. He was handed over to a team of Meghalaya police on Tuesday morning, said police station incharge Rashid Khan. He was produced in the district court, which sent him to the transit remand of Meghalaya police for 72 hours, he said.

Tomar was taken to Indore, and will be taken to Shillong en route Delhi and Guwahati. East Khasi Hills district SP V Syiem said Tomar was wanted in connection with the destruction and concealment of evidence vital to the case.

Tomar, however, claimed that he did not know the accused involved in the murder and termed charges against him as false.

“I am aware of the allegations. I had given my flat on rent in Indore. I do not know anyone in this case. The bag being talked about was not with me. Apart from this, nothing has been recovered from me. I used to talk only to James. I will soon hold a press conference and answer all the queries," Tomar told reporters while police whisked him away.

The special investigation team (SIT) of Meghalaya Police have also arrested property dealer Silome James in Dewas district of MP and security guard Balla Ahirwar from Ashok Nagar district for allegedly concealing a box belonging to Sonam, who hid it in a flat in Indore after the murder last month. The box is believed to have contained key evidence linked to the murder, sources had said.

Raja married Sonam on May 11 in Indore, and the couple went to Meghalaya for their honeymoon on May 20. They had gone missing on May 23 in Sohra, about 65 km from Shillong. His decomposed body was found in a gorge near a waterfall on June 2.

(With PTI inputs)

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Shillong, India, India

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News india 'Not Talking Only About Love Angle': Meghalaya Govt Says Raghuvanshi Murder Probe In 'Crucial Phase'