Raja Raghuvanshi, a 29-year-old tourist from Indore, was found dead in a gorge near Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district, 11 days after he and his wife Sonam disappeared without a trace. It is beyond doubt that Raja’s death is a murder case by local police, who found a traditional machete (dao) along with other crucial evidence near his body, signaling foul play.
Raja and Sonam had left a homestay in Nongriat village on May 23. That day, the scooter they were using was found abandoned near Sohrarim, a place that is very popular among tourists. His body was found in a deep gorge almost 20 km away.
Murder Confirmed Through Key Evidence
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem stated that the perpetrator’s weapon and Raja’s mobile were discovered at the crime scene. “This is a murder case,” he stressed.
Besides a woman’s shirt, medicines, a part of the mobile phone LCD screen, and a smartwatch, come to recovery, it is assumed that all of these may be related to Sonam.
Raja was initially recognized by his brother through a tattoo on his right hand. Furthermore, the family from Indore argues that theft was the motive, noting that the gold rings, a chain, and a wallet belonged to the missing couple. As a result, they have formally requested a CBI investigation into the case, citing growing concerns about the safety and security of visitors in the region.
Investigation Hurdled By Rain in Meghalaya
The NDRF has joined the search for Sonam, and the operation has been affected the most due to bad weather. Meghalaya has recently received 500 mm of rain, which poses significant obstacles in rescue operations. “The team is already on the spot, but the situation is difficult due to heavy rain,” affirmed NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahedi.
Notably, this is the second tragic incident involving a tourist in East Khasi Hills this year, after the unexplained death of a Hungarian traveler in April. Consequently, local authorities have issued new regulations aimed at tourists who aren’t fully aware of the area.
