2 accused in Sohra murder refuse to confess in court
Shillong: Two key accused in the murder case of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi have refused to give statements before the magistrate, police said.
Talking to mediapersons on Thursday, superintendent of police (city) Herbert Kharkongor, who heads the SIT, said the accused — Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi — declined to record their confessions before the magistrate.
"We sent two of the five accused — Akash and Anand — but they refused to make statements. However, this is not an issue as we already have enough evidence to establish their involvement."
He added that the accused are within their legal rights to remain silent. "We have ample evidence. From the start till now, the material we've gathered is strong. We're awaiting the forensic science laboratory (FSL) report, which will further strengthen the case," Kharkongor said.
The SIT, which continues to gather evidence, is confident of filing a chargesheet within the stipulated timeframe, he added.
Raghuvanshi was allegedly murdered on May 23 during a honeymoon trip to Sohra (Cherrapunjee) after his wife Sonam reportedly signalled to her co-conspirators. His body was recovered from a deep gorge on June 2.
Besides prime accused Sonam, her "lover" and purported mastermind Raj Kushwaha, along with accomplices Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi, have been arrested from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. All five are currently in judicial custody.
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