hillong/Indore: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Meghalaya Police has arrested two individuals in Madhya Pradesh in connection with the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi. The arrests took place over the weekend as part of an ongoing probe into the high-profile case. On Saturday evening, property dealer Silome James was apprehended at the Bhonrasa toll gate in Dewas district while attempting to flee to Bhopal. He was identified as the lessee of a flat in Heera Bagh Colony, Indore, where Sonam Raghuvanshi, the victim’s wife, had stayed after the murder and hidden a box containing valuables and potential evidence.
Following this, in the early hours of Sunday, the SIT arrested Balla Ahirwar, a security guard posted at the same property, from his native village in Ashok Nagar district. The police will produce both individuals before a court in Indore to seek transit remand, allowing them to be taken to Shillong for further interrogation. According to sources, the box concealed by Sonam is believed to have contained crucial evidence, including jewellery, a laptop, and a firearm reportedly owned by her boyfriend Raj Kushwaha. However, during questioning, James admitted to burning the contents of the box, and a forensic team has since collected samples from the site.
Investigations also revealed that the flat in question was rented by murder co-accused Vishal Chauhan, with a formal agreement signed on May 30 for ₹17,000 per month. James, who runs a property management firm, facilitated the rental. Despite the agreement, the flat was found vacant during a later search by Meghalaya Police. Sources confirmed that Sonam stayed there for several days after returning from Meghalaya, before surrendering to police in Uttar Pradesh on June 8.
The timeline of the case shows that Raja Raghuvanshi married Sonam on May 11 in Indore, and the couple left for their honeymoon in Meghalaya on May 20. Just three days later, Raja went missing. His mutilated body was recovered on June 2 from a deep gorge near a waterfall in the Sohra area of East Khasi Hills district, confirming suspicions of foul play. The latest arrests mark a major step forward in unraveling the conspiracy behind his murder.
