Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], June 11 (HBTV): Family members of Raja Raghuvanshi, the victim in the Meghalaya murder case, have apologised to the Meghalaya government, stating that the state's image had been unfairly tarnished following the crime.

Sachin Raghuvanshi, the brother of the deceased, extended his apology to the Meghalaya government and thanked them for their swift investigation and support.

‘I want to apologise to the Meghalaya government that because of one Sonam Raghuvanshi, the image of Meghalaya has been tarnished. The Meghalaya Police solved this case in 17 days. I want to thank the Meghalaya government for standing with us. The Meghalaya government cares for its tourists,’ he told ANI.

He also demanded strict action against those involved in the murder.

Meanwhile, Ashok Raghuvanshi, father of the victim, claimed that Sonam Raghuvanshi had a mangal dosh and asserted that the murder was not orchestrated by her alone.

‘A lady cannot do this alone. Other people must be involved in this. She had a mangal dosh, and she thought of killing her husband and marrying someone else... My son was very innocent...,’ he said.

He also demanded an apology from Sonam’s family to the Meghalaya Police.

‘They (Sonam’s family) should apologise to the Meghalaya Police. They have insulted the Meghalaya Police. I have faith in the Meghalaya Police. They have done a very good job. I also apologise to the Meghalaya Police for the insult they suffered. Meghalaya Police found my son, although he was dead. A complete inquiry should be done and the culprits must be hanged...,’ he added.

Vipin Raghuvanshi, another brother of the victim, called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the case.

‘A CBI inquiry should be done to reveal other aspects of the case... Sonam’s mother should also be interrogated. She knows a lot of things which she has been hiding. Her mother has been lying from the beginning...,’ he said.

He too apologised to the Meghalaya Police and people of the state.

‘We want to apologise to Meghalaya CM and the entire population of the state for the mistakes we have made... More people will be arrested in this case,’ he added.

Raja’s mother, Uma Raghuvanshi, demanded justice and strict punishment for the accused.

‘I want justice for my son. The culprits should be punished. What has my son done? What was his mistake? Why was he killed?...’ she said.

Sonam Raghuvanshi, the victim’s wife, along with four others — Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, Raj Singh Kushwaha, and Anand — have been accused of the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, who had recently married and was on a honeymoon in Meghalaya.

Raja’s body was discovered on June 2 in a gorge at Sohra near Cherrapunji. Sonam was later found near a dhaba on the Varanasi-Ghazipur main road.

Raja and Sonam, both residents of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, had gone missing during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. 

(ANI)