The murder investigation of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi has taken a dramatic turn after Meghalaya Police confirmed that a suspicious contact in accused Sonam Raghuvanshi’s phone, saved under the name “Sanjay Verma,” was actually her alleged lover and co-conspirator Raj Kushwaha. This revelation, backed by call records and official statements, is now seen as a key breakthrough in solving the high-profile murder case.
Fake Identity Used to Mask Communication
According to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem, Sonam used the alias “Sanjay Verma” to conceal her frequent communication with Kushwaha. The number was saved under a fictitious name on Truecaller to avoid suspicion from family and authorities. SP Syiem told PTI that the SIM card registered to “Sanjay Verma” was, in fact, being used by Raj Kushwaha.
An analysis of phone records revealed that Sonam and Kushwaha exchanged 234 calls over a 39-day period between March 1 and April 8, with each call reportedly lasting between 30 to 60 minutes. This intense level of contact in the weeks leading up to the murder has drawn the attention of investigators, who now believe it was part of a larger conspiracy.
Brother Speaks Out, Police Probe Deeper Motives
Sonam’s brother Govind Raghuvanshi publicly denied any knowledge of “Sanjay Verma,” stating that he only learned of the name after it surfaced in the media. “I don’t know anything about Sanjay Verma… I also learned today that Sanjay’s name is coming up in this,” he said. Govind has also agreed to undergo a narco test, as demanded by the victim’s family, claiming he has already shared all he knows.
Govind mentioned that Sonam may have taken ₹10,000–₹20,000 in cash and two mobile phones, but most valuable items such as jewellery were left untouched. “She definitely took two mobile phones — one office phone and one personal phone,” he added.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Police continue to question the family members of both Sonam and Kushwaha to determine if there was a motive beyond the alleged extramarital affair. The murder timeline shows that Raja and Sonam were married on May 11 and traveled to Meghalaya on May 20. Raja went missing three days later on May 23, and his body was found ten days after that.
Sonam surrendered on June 8 in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh. Raj Kushwaha and three other alleged accomplices — Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput, and Anand Kurmi — were arrested from various locations in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. All five individuals are in custody and face serious charges for their roles in planning and executing the murder.
