logo
‘I get calls every day, but I am not entertaining one until...': Sonam Raghuvanshi's brother on legal help for sister

‘I get calls every day, but I am not entertaining one until...': Sonam Raghuvanshi's brother on legal help for sister

Hindustan Times10 hours ago
Govind Raghuvanshi, the brother of Sonam Raghuvanshi — the main accused in the murder of Indore-based transport businessman Raja Raghuvanshi — has reportedly said that he is not speaking to any lawyer regarding her case until the police investigation is complete and he personally meets her. Raja Raghuvanshi's family members, cut out the picture of his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi from a poster of their marriage after she was accused of plotting Raja's murder in Meghalaya, in Indore,(PTI)
Sonam, along with three other suspects, is currently lodged in a jail in Meghalaya in connection with Raja's murder during the couple's honeymoon in Meghalaya.
The Indore couple had gone missing on May 23 during their honeymoon. On June 2, Raja's mutilated body was found in a deep gorge in Sohra, Meghalaya. Sonam was later found at a roadside eatery in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur.
Govind said that he has received multiple offers from legal professionals willing to represent Sonam, while talking to News18 MP, 'I've been receiving calls from at least 10 to 15 lawyers, offering to take up the case and handle everything. But I have asked all of them to wait. As I've said before, I do not want to hire any lawyer right now, and that's still the case. We will not hire any lawyer until we have spoken to Sonam,' he said.
'Not searching for lawyer'
When asked about his plans to engage a lawyer, Govind clarified, 'Look, I haven't spoken to any lawyer yet, nor am I searching for one. Since day one, I have insisted that I want to meet Sonam. But since the ongoing police investigation, meeting her right now wouldn't be appropriate. Once the probe is complete, I want to meet her. Only after that will I make any decision.'
Also Read | Meghalaya honeymoon murder: In new 'mangalsutra' twist, Raja's brother claims Sonam married 'lover' while in hiding
He also responded to reports that Raja's family wants to perform Sonam's pind daan — a last rite ritual in Hindu tradition — for Sonam. Govind said his family would support the decision.
'If Raja's family wants to perform the pind daan for Sonam, they absolutely can. They have full rights to do so, and we would also like to be with them during the ritual... Tradition also says that the family should perform the pind daan so that they can do it,' reported Live Hindustan.
'Returned all gold jewellery to Raja's family'
On the jewellery given to Sonam by Raja's family during the wedding, Govind added: 'We've returned all the gold that Raja's family gave to Sonam. Only one chain remains, which is in police custody. They can collect it from the police once the proceedings are over. Other than that, everything has been returned from our side.'
Raja and Sonam were married on May 11. Their case has drawn significant attention, with ongoing investigations in two states and family members on both sides making public statements.
Also Read | Meghalaya honeymoon murder: Sonam Raghuvanshi, Raj Kushwaha admit to their relationship
Recently, the main accused Sonam and her alleged boyfriend Raj Kushwaha have confessed to their relationship and involvement in the murder of Sonam's husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, Meghalaya Police said.
Superintendent of Police (East Khasi Hills) Vivek Syiem said, 'Both Sonam and Raj have admitted to the crime and have recreated the crime scene for the police."
Police officials believe the affair between Sonam and Raj is central to the motive behind the killing. However, they have not ruled out other possible factors, including financial gain.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NHRC flags police lapses in Bhopal love trap, forced conversion racket; seeks action, deeper probe
NHRC flags police lapses in Bhopal love trap, forced conversion racket; seeks action, deeper probe

New Indian Express

time7 minutes ago

  • New Indian Express

NHRC flags police lapses in Bhopal love trap, forced conversion racket; seeks action, deeper probe

BHOPAL: Two months after a suspected love trap and forced conversion racket was busted in Bhopal, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has flagged serious lapses in the police investigation. The racket allegedly involved youths from one community befriending college girls from another, raping them, making obscene videos, and pressuring them for religious conversion and marriage. In its four-page communication to the state's chief secretary and DGP earlier this week, the NHRC has mentioned, 'Perusal of the facts of the case revealed that the main accused Farhan Khan was in touch with several persons in MP and outside. His criminal network connection with the crime in different states cannot be ruled out. However, the findings of the investigation remain silent on this aspect. Such a network of crime within the state as well as pan-India, if any, needs to be ascertained.' 'There is a need for more rigorous investigation to find out the possible network of crime inside the state as well as pan-India to protect the children and teenage girls from sexual exploitation and the pattern of dominant gender crime of trafficking,' the NHRC wrote in the communication. The human rights body further highlighted there being no doubt regarding the relationship between the main accused, Farhan and one Shariq Machli, particularly as Machli appears to be involved with the prime accused in this entire case. Importantly, the man Sharif Machli, is a Bhopal-based businessman, who is believed to have powerful political links.

CCI directs UltraTech/India Cements, Dalmia Bharat to furnish financial records
CCI directs UltraTech/India Cements, Dalmia Bharat to furnish financial records

The Hindu

time12 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

CCI directs UltraTech/India Cements, Dalmia Bharat to furnish financial records

Fair trade regulator CCI has directed Aditya Birla firm UltraTech, which now owns South-based cement firm India Cements, along with two other cement makers and their executives to submit financial documents, after its Director General, in its investigations, found contravention of competition norms. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has also directed Dalmia Bharat Cements and Shree Digvijay Cements to submit their audited financial statements, including balance sheets and profit and loss accounts, within eight weeks of the order. It has directed UltraTech to submit the financial statements of its subsidiary India Cements for five years from FY15 to FY19, while Dalmia Bharat Cements and Shree Digvijay Cements for nine years, from FY11 to FY19. Besides, CCI has also directed their executives to submit detailed financials and income tax records for five years, along with formal responses to the investigation report. An email sent to UltraTech Cements remained unanswered till the time of filing the story. Dalmia Bharat, in a regulatory filing, said CCI is yet to hear it in the matter or pass any formal order. "DCBL remains committed to full regulatory compliance and is cooperating with the authorities," it said. Allegation of cartelisation The CCI direction came over a complaint filed by ONGC alleging cartelisation in its tenders. Following this, the fair trade regulator had on November 18, 2020, directed its probe unit Director General to look into the issue. The DG had submitted its investigations report on February 18, 2025, in which found contraventions of the competition regulations. It had found that Ultratech's subsidiary India Cements, along with Shree Digvijay Cement and Dalmia Cement, with a middleman named Umakant Agarwal, engaged in anti-competitive collusion. Later, CCI on May 26, 2025, considered the investigation report and in a four-page order also directed the cement manufacturer to submit income derived from sales to alleged contraventions by the PSU. The CCI notice also mentioned if there is non-furnishing of the financial details or incomplete/false information, within the time frame by the companies, then they would be liable under section 45 of the Act. Earlier, in December 2024, UltraTech Cements had acquired 32.72% stake from promoters and promoter group entities of India Cements Ltd. The Aditya Birla Group firm, which already had acquired a 22.77% stake from the market, became the promoter of the Tamil Nadu-based company.

Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan gets High Court relief in sexual assault case of male actor
Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan gets High Court relief in sexual assault case of male actor

Economic Times

time18 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan gets High Court relief in sexual assault case of male actor

Ranjith Balakrishnan faces a criminal case. A man accused the Malayalam filmmaker of sexual assault. The alleged incident occurred in Bengaluru in 2012. The complainant filed the FIR. He was inspired by other survivors. Legal proceedings began. Balakrishnan's lawyer dismissed the claims. He cited inconsistencies in the complaint. The court issued a temporary stay. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Allegations Date Back to 2012 Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Charges Registered Under IPC and IT Act Defense Questions Validity of Claims Acclaimed Career in Malayalam Cinema A criminal case for sexual assault against Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan has been quashed. On Friday, the Karnataka High Court annulled the criminal proceedings initiated against Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan. The case, which was based on a complaint filed by a 31-year-old man who accused the director of assault, has now been officially set aside, as per a Live Law verdict was delivered by a single-judge bench led by Justice S. R. Krishna Kumar. After reviewing the petition submitted by Balakrishnan, the court ruled in his favour and ordered the dismissal of the charges. The FIR had invoked provisions under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with unnatural sexual acts, as well as Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which pertains to violations of per reports from PTI, the complainant, an aspiring actor, alleged that the incident took place at a luxury hotel in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The First Information Report (FIR) states that the man was first introduced to Balakrishnan in 2012, in Kozhikode, during the filming of Bavuttiyude Namathil—a project written and produced by the director. The complainant claimed that he had originally visited the film set to meet Malayalam superstar to the FIR, Balakrishnan reportedly obtained the complainant's phone number and later invited him to a high-end hotel near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru in December 2012. It was during this meeting that the man says he was offered alcohol and then sexually assaulted by the director. The complaint was initially submitted in Kerala, but since the alleged assault occurred in Bengaluru, the case was subsequently transferred there for jurisdictional reasons. A senior police officer confirmed that an FIR has now been registered in Bengaluru based on the complainant stated that although the incident happened over a decade ago, he decided to come forward only recently, encouraged by the growing wave of sexual misconduct allegations within the Malayalam film industry. He said the courage of other survivors inspired him to finally break his silence and lodge the the complaint, legal proceedings were initiated on October 26 at the Bangalore International Airport Limited police station. The case has been filed under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to unnatural offenses, and Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, which deals with violations of is not the first time Balakrishnan has been accused of inappropriate behaviour. In an earlier instance, Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra had alleged misconduct during a script discussion at Balakrishnan's residence. Although the director denied those claims, the controversy led to his resignation from the position of chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra per a Bar & Bench report, Balakrishnan's legal representative, Senior Advocate Prabhuling Navadgi, dismissed the case as baseless. He argued that the luxury hotel near the Bengaluru airport, where the incident allegedly occurred, only became operational in 2016—four years after the supposed event—thus revealing a significant inconsistency in the M. Nagaprasanna, a single-judge bench, had earlier taken note of this detail and issued a temporary stay on the criminal proceedings against the filmmaker. The judge also observed that the 12-year delay in reporting the incident had not been adequately explained, which cast doubt on the reliability of the Balakrishnan is a celebrated name in Malayalam cinema, known for his multifaceted roles as a director, screenwriter, producer, and actor. He made his directorial debut in 2001 with Ravanaprabhu, the sequel to Devaasuram. Over his career, he has earned three National Film Awards. His movie Spirit won for Best Film on Social Issues, while Thirakkatha and Indian Rupee received the National Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam in 2008 and 2011, respectively. He has also been honoured with six Kerala State Film Awards.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store