'Who Sonam, What Affair': Raj Kushwaha's Family Claims 'He Didn't Kill Raja Raghuvanshi'

Last Updated:June 13, 2025, 12:40 IST

At Raj’s ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur district, his grandparents and extended family strongly denied any romantic link between Raj and Sonam.

Sonam with Raj Kushwaha (Photo: X)

Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case: As the sensational murder case of Indore-based transporter Raja Raghuvanshi unfolds, family members of accused Raj Kushwaha — the alleged boyfriend of Raja’s wife Sonam and now a co-accused in the murder — have come forward to claim his innocence, describing him as a “simple, hardworking boy who has been falsely implicated".

At Raj’s ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur district, his grandparents and extended family strongly denied any romantic link between Raj and Sonam. Sitting on worn-out cots in a modest, unplastered single-storey house, his grandmother Ram Lalli, while talking to News18 said, “My grandson is innocent. He had nothing to do with that woman. He’s being trapped. Big people can do anything." “My grandson can’t kill, he gave away his slippers to the poor, how can he be a murderer," she added.

‘No Relationship With Sonam,’ Say Relatives

Raj’s grandfather Darbari Singh said that Raj had no history of romantic involvement with anyone, let alone with Sonam. “He’s been working hard to support his mother and three sisters ever since his father passed away five years ago. What Sonam, what affair? He only minded his own business. He used to come home once a year, and for the past two years, he hasn’t even visited," said Singh.

According to the family, Raj, who is around 18 years old, worked at a factory owned by Sonam’s brother in Indore. His grandmother said that the two merely happened to be employees at the same place and that “talking at work doesn’t mean an affair."

His maternal uncle Ranjeet Singh, who lives in Banda district, also stood by Raj’s character. “If even one person in the village says Raj has ever done anything wrong, hang him. But he is innocent. Even on the day of my daughter’s wedding, he didn’t come, though I invited him."

Sister and Mother Break Down

Raj’s sister Suhani broke into tears claiming her brother cried after Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder. “He was crying a lot. He was so disturbed that he kept praying for Sonam didi’s safety at our home temple. He even went to Raja’s funeral and cried for hours after returning," she said.

She claimed Raj considered Sonam like a sister and never showed any inappropriate behaviour. “He used to say, ‘Raja bhaiya’s body has been found, but where is didi? I hope she’s safe.’ Is this how a killer behaves," she asked.

His mother, devastated by the developments, claimed she hasn’t eaten or drank water in three days. “He is my only son. After my husband’s death, he became the backbone of our family. He cannot even see someone barefoot; he’d remove his own slippers and give them away," she said, her voice trembling. “Now they are saying he killed someone?"

The Village Speaks

In Bairaf village under Marka police station, neighbours echoed the family’s sentiments. “He was always polite and kept to himself. We’ve never heard of any affair," one elderly neighbour said. Others noted that Sonam had never visited the village and that her name had never come up in connection with Raj until the murder investigation began.

The Murder and the Fallout

The murder of Raja Raghuvanshi has sent shockwaves across Indore and beyond. Raja was found dead under suspicious circumstances. Police arrested his wife Sonam and four others, including Raj Kushwaha, in connection with the case. While all five accused have reportedly confessed to their involvement during preliminary interrogation, the true mastermind remains unclear.

Sonam and Raj have each accused the other of planning the murder

According to Meghalaya Police DIG (Eastern Range) Davis NR Marak, “The question of who masterminded the murder will be clear once we confront them face-to-face. Right now, they are being interrogated separately."

All five accused were produced before a Shillong court on June 11 and were remanded to eight days of police custody for detailed interrogation. Police are currently recording their individual statements, and a cross-verification session is expected soon.

Blame Game Begins

In police custody, Sonam has claimed that she killed her husband under pressure from Raj, while Raj has insisted that Sonam planned and executed the murder herself, manipulating him into involvement. The shifting narratives and mutual blame have added layers of complexity to the investigation.

DIG Marak confirmed, “They have both admitted to being part of the conspiracy. But their stories differ when it comes to who planned it. We are trying to uncover the truth through cross-questioning and digital evidence."

A Complex Relationship?

Sources in the police say Raj and Sonam grew close while working in the same factory. Their friendship reportedly deepened in the months leading to Sonam’s wedding. One insider claimed Sonam had promised Raj that even though she was marrying Raja, she would continue to be in a relationship with him. On the day of her wedding, Raj was seen crying at the stage. The family had assumed it was due to his emotional attachment with her after working closely for a long time.

Whether it was merely friendship, a one-sided obsession, or a deeper affair that turned fatal, remains to be conclusively established.

As the investigation continues, the police are relying on digital evidence, call records, and witness statements. The remand period will be crucial in determining the nature of the relationship between Sonam and Raj, and who ultimately orchestrated the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi.

Meanwhile, in Fatehpur, Kushwaha’s family continues to hold on to hope. “All we want is a fair investigation," said Raj’s grandfather. “Let the truth come out, but don’t punish an innocent boy for someone else’s crime," he added.

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