Shillong, July 16: A local court on Wednesday reserved its order on the bail plea of Shilom James, an Indore-based property dealer arrested in connection with the sensational Raja Raghuvanshi murder case. The bail application was moved by Advocate Devesh Sharma, while Public Prosecutor Tushar Chanda strongly opposed the plea, urging the court to deny bail. The court is yet to deliver its verdict.
James is accused of allegedly stealing a pistol, ₹5 lakh in cash, clothes, and gold jewellery belonging to Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi. The flat rented by James was reportedly used by the prime accused Sonam as a hideout following Raja’s murder.
Two co-accused in the case — Lokendra Singh Tomar and Balia alias Balbir Ahirwar — have already been granted bail. Both face charges of tampering with evidence linked to the crime.
Investigations revealed that James had rented out a flat to Vishal Singh Chauhan, one of the key accused in the case. Tomar, a resident of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, is the landlord of a flat at Dewas Naka where Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime accused, took refuge while on the run. Balia Ahirwar was a security guard at the apartment complex where James’s flat is located.
Earlier, the court had remanded Shilom James to 14 days of judicial custody, while Tomar and Ahirwar were placed under seven days of judicial custody.
It may be recalled, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Meghalaya Police had in June brought all three — James, Tomar, and Ahirwar — to Shillong after arresting them from Madhya Pradesh. James was arrested for allegedly destroying and concealing key evidence, including a pistol, ammunition, and cash believed to belong to co-accused Sonam. Tomar and Ahirwar were arrested for allegedly aiding the accused.
The case dates back to May 23, when Raja Raghuvanshi was allegedly murdered by associates of Raj Kushwaha at Wei Sawdong Falls in Sohra (Cherrapunji), Meghalaya, while on his honeymoon with wife Sonam. Investigations later revealed that the murder was masterminded by Sonam and her alleged lover Raj Kushwaha, and had been planned nearly 11 days prior to her wedding.
The SIT has so far arrested several individuals involved in the case, unearthing a chilling conspiracy involving destroyed evidence, concealed weapons, attempted escapes, and a burnt laptop bag believed to contain crucial material.
Also Read: Meghalaya High Court extends vending hours at Khyndailad: Stalls allowed from 12–2:15 PM & 7–9:15 PM
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