Justice in Real Time
National News: Indore Airport erupted in chaos on June 10, 2025, when Anil Vyas, a local businessman, slapped one of the suspects in Raja Raghuvanshi’s murder case. Meghalaya Police were escorting the accused, including Sonam Raghuvanshi, Raja’s wife, to Shillong for trial. The sharp crack of the slap, captured on CCTV, stunned bystanders and went viral, embodying the city’s raw anger. Sonam allegedly masterminded Raja’s murder during their Meghalaya honeymoon, a crime that has left Indore reeling. Anil’s act, fueled by betrayal, reignited calls for harsh punishment. Raja’s family, watching the clip, felt a fleeting sense of retribution.
Raja, a 30-year-old Indore merchant, wed Sonam in a vibrant ceremony on May 11, 2025, arranged through a local matchmaker. Their honeymoon to Meghalaya, planned swiftly, raised Raja’s suspicions due to Sonam’s eagerness. She urged him to bring heirloom jewellery, claiming it was for photos. Unbeknownst to him, Sonam was secretly involved with Rakesh Sharma, her family’s bookkeeper. Within a week of their vows, she allegedly hired three men—Rohan Jatav, Sameer Pathak, and Vikas Tomar—for 20 lakh rupees to end Raja’s life. The plot turned their romantic getaway into a nightmare.
On May 22, the couple reached Nongriat village, famed for its lush trails. Sonam had coordinated with the hired trio, who arrived in Shillong earlier. On May 24, near a secluded waterfall, Sonam feigned exhaustion, staying back as the men attacked Raja. They used a heavy blade, bought locally, to deliver fatal blows. Raja’s body was hurled into a chasm, with Sonam reportedly directing the act. The tranquil Meghalaya hills, meant for love, became a silent witness to a heinous crime.
Sonam fled to Bhopal by train, linking up with Rakesh in a safehouse. She later surfaced in Varanasi, surrendering on June 7 with a tale of being coerced and drugged. Authorities rejected her claims, noting her calm demeanor. A puzzling post from Raja’s phone, “Bound forever,” sparked doubts. The lack of honeymoon photos raised red flags. Meghalaya Police’s “Operation Moonlit Justice” hunted down the trio across two states. Rakesh, hiding in Indore, was the last to be caught.
A shepherd’s tip about “outsiders” near the crime scene and footage from a Shillong lodge unraveled the case. A stained scarf and the murder weapon linked Sonam to the act. Raja’s body, found on June 3, bore a family crest tattoo. Phone records showed Sonam guiding the killers. Despite her kin’s pleas for a central probe, the evidence stood firm. DGP Sanjay Verma lauded the rapid arrests, completed in days, as Chief Minister Conrad Sangma promised retribution.
The slap at Indore Airport reflects the city's anguish. Anil Vyas, a local resident, told reporters, "This cruelty demands the gallows." Raja's family, still grappling with the shock, seek answers for Sonam's deceit. As the accused face trial in Shillong, this saga of love turned lethal continues to haunt the city. The pain and outrage of Raja's family and the public will only be assuaged when justice is served. The incident has left a deep scar, and the demand for harsh punishment grows louder with each passing day.
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