Meghalaya police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) achieved a significant breakthrough in the high-profile Raja Raghuvanshi murder case. The police arrested property dealer Shilom James from Indore and security guard Balbir Ahirwar alias Ballu from Ashoknagar for allegedly concealing evidence. Both were presented before the Indore District Court on Sunday evening, which granted seven days of transit remand to Meghalaya police. The duo are accused of hiding a bag belonging to Sonam Raghuvanshi, Raja’s wife, which she stashed in a flat at Dewas Naka’s Heerabag Colony, Indore, after the murder. Police sources indicate the bag contained critical evidence, including Rs 5 lakh in cash, gold and silver jewelry and a country-made pistol.

 

James, who leased the flat to co-accused Vishal Chauhan for Rs 17,000 monthly rent on May 30, admitted to media on June 13 that Sonam stayed there before fleeing to Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, where she had surrendered. Balbir, a guard and carpenter in the same building, is suspected of assisting James in disposing of the bag. Following James’ lead, SIT recovered a charred bag, along with a burnt SIM card and other items, from a vacant plot in Indore’s MR3 Hare Krishna Vihar. Both the accused will be taken to Shillong on Monday for further interrogation regarding the concealed evidence. With these arrests, total number of accused in custody rises to seven, including Sonam Raghuvanshi, her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi, all currently in judicial custody in Meghalaya. The SIT, led by East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem, continues its rigorous investigation to uncover conspiracy behind the brutal murder.